Stick to the basics

[Zouji]

What's interesting is that D&D 4th edition is balanced as far as classes, races, and powers go. What's really hilarious is that Pathfinder (based on 3.5 open source D&D) is more profitable than 4th ed. That's because all of the munchkins play Pathfinder since 4th edition is balanced. That actually is one of the top complaints about 4th edition D&D is that it is so balanced.

Also 4th edition class roles were based on MMOs. It actually will say Leader (Healer/Buffer), Striker, Controller, and/or Defender in the class descriptions.

So, MMOs were based off of D&D. D&D then bases itself off of MMOs.


Like GURPS, Ultima Online had/has a completely skill based system. You had no classes just skills. So you could be whatever you wanted to be within a certain skill max range. Power point based systems are nice, but in order to be balanced a GM has to be on the ball saying what is and is not allowed.