Q u o t e: Way to man up there and attack my intellect. GG there buddy.
I know what you wrote had nothing to do with skills. I was merely pointing out that what you were promoting is achieved through passive skills, especially with your barbarian example. Those things are in the skill tree almost verbatim. Except the last one because there really aren't any gear requirements except level.
Now you can put points into these passive skills and BAM! you still have the same skills (like you said) only you have specialized into your own "profession," thereby hindering your character in that you cannot effectively specialize in other "professions" without sacrificing viability in whatever you have already specialized in.
Redundancy is redundant.
I still don't see your point.
This gives players the opportunity to customize their character further than just skill points.
Passive skills don't allow variety because every character has exactly the same ones.
Sub-races allow more growth for a player.
They can make their character develop into more of a team player, solo player, or whatever you want just by choosing a different race.
I take back what I said about being able to put points into a sub-race every level.
But then another thing comes Advanced races.
This is when your skills are developed so that you turn into an advanced race.
Eg: To become an Elder barbarian you need 5 points in a certain skill and a few in another.
It's what made Neverwinter Nights so different.
There was such an expansive array of character builds and each level gives you an opportunity to further develop your character.
Sub-races do a completely different thing to skills.
So I don't see your argument.
On another note. People need to stop saying "That is not diablo"
Stop being so closed minded and open up to new concepts that can improve games.