Quote Originally Posted by voodoogroves View Post
These changes don't achieve class balance. Casters can do X, Y and Z. All three of them currently are pretty well ahead of melees in terms of power achieved versus effort required (a well-geared, insane melee vet outstrips newbie casters, etc.)

Let's call "X" DPS, "Y" CC and "Z" instakills / special abilities.

X and Y are still valid; HTK just makes it so you can't make a fun "Z" caster anymore.
You forgot about W, which is self healing. I wouldn't have any issues if a caster could be really good at W, X, Y, or Z, and maybe mediocre at one of two of the others, but why should casters be really good at W, X, Y, and Z, when melees are only good for X?

This is the first incarnation of DnD I've played where a cleric can cause more death and destruction then a paladin. Class balance is totally jacked up. I'd rather see the classes all have their distinct styles then expanding the roles of melees, because whats the point of classes at all if every class can do W, X, Y, and Z?