Honestly, one of the issues I see with D&D is too much class variety leading to balancing nightmares. Maybe just make a class called wizard and they can cast anything, then give them benefits depending on how deeply they focus in a specific area.
The issue I see that arises out of how D&D currently works is that you're forced to bring along a healer, a tank, and a rogue
I've been playing AD&D on tabletop for maybe 20 years (mainly ADD3.5), and I played BG1 & 2 : variety is a core feature of AD&D.
Balancing companion in your group isn't a real concern for me, it's core gameplay of most RPG. In DOA & ME too, you had to balance your party between tank, support & carry. You have to make choices (only 2 companions in DOA & ME, so you always lack something at some point). I don't know how this choice will change things later on, but I like the idea of making choices than will have an impact on gameplay (like the lack of a tank in combat).
