We should just grab the three quintessential RPG classes (Mage, Warrior, Rogue) and have them develop into specializations depending on playstyle (Warrior -> Paladin, Mage -> Summoner, etc) There'd be no actual restrictions on how a class can play (Mage can grab a bow, Rogue can choose to screw stealth and punch shit up), but the classes would give them special skills and orient them more towards certain archetypes/stats (Mages are more magic oriented, Warriors more combat, Rogues are sneakier, so on)

Of course classes can share specializations (Mage -> Paladin, Warrior -> Paladin), and some specs can evolve into other specs (Mage -> Cleric -> Paladin)

I can actually put together the class trees, since I have a decent idea of what I want it to look like...

EDIT: Or hell, I'll just make the specialist classes, and have Combat, Stealth, Magic, and Hybrid as class categories.

EDIT2: Also, since we're going to be in a magitech world (so it seems), who'd be opposed to having more 'futuristic' classes (Rangers that can use magic/alchemy-based ammo in guns, Rogues who use magitech gadgets, etc. for example)

Thoughts?