Spot < Hide

[Rafael]

the 72 is false you know you aren't counting in racial bonuses, stat modiffers, feats. 72 is not the max of evry skill in NWN preepic, dunno where you catched that up.

[Rary]

The max of any skill should be near 76. But in the case of spot 78.
23 (assuming you put all points into it)
50 (max bonuses possible not including feats)
3 (skill focus feat)
2 (alertness)

Bonuses such as in light or dark, in the woods or not counts towards the 50 cap.

Additional modifiers that count towards the 50 cap.

* +10 DC if the spotter is in combat.
* +5 DC if the target is standing still.
* -5 DC if the spotter is standing still.
* Size modifiers (Tiny: +8, Small: +4, Medium: 0, Large: -4, Huge: -8).
* Area spot check modifiers.
* +5 DC at night if the spotter does not have a light (or darkvision).
* -10 DC at night if the target has a light on them.

[Rafael]

There is also a feat that can be only taken at lvl 1(dunno his english name) wchich gives another+2 to spot, rangers get a max bonus of +5 tospot against their racial enemies, and you forgot that ability modiffers stack with magical bonus.