Such balance arguments as the above one are however inconclusive without also taking into account what each attribute affects in detail(movement range, AP amount, survivability etc.), what weapons with what skill + values each class can or can't use due to min req attribute and what enemies with what bonus or malus regarding damage-dealt/hits-taken exist in the game.

I am mentioning that because the discussion is kinda pointless. The game doesn't need a perfect balance between "classes". It only needs something more or less balanced in such a way that each party composition can finish the game. And with Madora and Jahan you essentially already have a perfect party combo available to you, without even taking Player chars into account. And I am sure 2 lone-wolf ranged/dagger rogues could finish this game with ease just by using the barrels and environment.

The only real conclusive evidence a look at each attribute, and skillset that it relates to, brings, is that it shows us which combinations of stats are stronger and which are less stronger. But it does not mean that it is unbalanced or that it even shows us where imbalances exist.

D:OS simply has no actual combat system alá DnD. Where you fight not just monsters, but characters with IDENTICAL class, stat, item and ability pools as the player, where a inter-class balance is extremely important. In D:OS you fight special classes and at no point are they in any way a match to the player in a 1:1 fight. Even the bosses, if you remove any ability the player does NOT have would be push-overs. And in those situations the question is whether players can realistically counter boss abilities with any class combination (I think they can)

Raw numbers are not everything when it comes to balance in a game where the only "balance" is that of "player group vs encounter group"

If you wanted to find a true balance, you'd have to look at each encounter in the game, specify what level the player chars have at that point, what skills, items available etc. To see whether something is inherently unbalanced or overpowered. And that then, shows you what is unbalanced. wink In the end you would however not make a fun game imo.