In my opinion talents shouldn't be just "magical skills" as now. I know d20 is not liked by many of people but class abilities and skills are something I would like to see in ED.
For example:
Lock Picking (skill), Action: Sustained (text), Default: No, Strain: 1 (text)
Allows opening locks without proper keys using set of lock picks. The character makes Lock Picking Test against Lock Difficulty. Opening most locks takes more time than Standard Action but character may focus on his tast and get 1 Strain to open lock in Standard action
Magic Lockpick (Discipline talent for Thief and Scout), Karma: Yes, Strain: 0
Creates a lockpick from magical energy that can be used to open locks without any tools and may be used to open magical locks. Grants Magic Lockpick Level as a bonus to Lock Picking Test/Step and you may spend one Karma on Lock Picking Tests.
Melee Weapons (skill), Action: Standard, Default: No, Strain: 1
Character knows how to use melee weapons in combat. Make Melee Weapon Test against target's Physical Defense.
Combatant (Discipline talent for Warrior, Sky Raider, Swordmaster), Karma: No, Strain: 0
Adept adds Combatant Level to Melee Weapons Test/Step and takes no Strain for using Melee Weapons.
Second Attack(talent), Karma: No, Strain: 2 (text)
Allows second attack in a round with another Melee Weapons Test for 1 Strain. May be used to create a combo with Combatant talent but doing so increases Strain cost to 2.
Missile Weapons (skill), Action: Standard, Default: No, Strain: 0
Character knows how to use missile weapons in ranged combat. Make Missile Weapon Test against target's Physical Defense.
True Shot (Discipline talent for Archer), Karma: Yes, Strain: 0
Adept adds karma until he hits the target with Missile Weapons Test or he runs out of Karma or he will reach Missile Weapons Level.
It would definately make talents unique and powerful and requires A LOT of work to make it balanced but... I think it would be worth it. It may seem to be even more powerful than it looks by first glance but look - to lvl skill you need a lot of time, but to lvl talent you need meditation. You will have character with probably low skill level and high talent level and be badass in what you do. It is because magic fuels your natural abilities, but without it you will suck or be average.
Atr Step+Skill level+Talent lvl= Ability Step or Atr Step+Skill level= Ability Step + Talent lvl. Second option would decrease the randomness because there will always be fixed bonus to a test.
I just come with that idea so I haven't checked how it would behave statisticaly but feel free to do so.