a common trend for people in eq community to immediately scream "WoW!" anytime they don't like something, without any attempt at deeper understanding...
Unlike those people, I like to take thing apart piece by piece, until I extract just the specific feature I need, and NOT the whole thing.
For instance, I like how WoW set up class system - you have BASE class archetype, which allowed 3 customizable branches that determine its specialization.
This however doesn't mean that I actually like what they gave those classes in those 3 branches, and how they balanced the classes.
In eq1, I like how classes connected to magical lore (most of the time), but again I don't like how those classes actually set up.
In eq2 I like the combo-cycle based combat and spell-casting system, but i don't like pretty much anything else (other than absolutely marvelous zone of Antonika
[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] and their Crafting system)
Since this is a "what if" thread, my perfect class system would based of parts extracted from all 3 games:
-wow like archetype + branches spec system (but no swappable dual-specing)
-eq2 approach to combat combos
-eq1 lore-to-classes perspective (what classes actually do)
I would also put greater emphasis on DEITIES of the game, which would heavily influence your class. For example Mage who worships Ro (fire), should have a significantly different set of spells than a mage who worships E'Ci (Ice), and similarly for other classes.