While I commend the effort and thought you've put into your suggestion I can't agree with it as it is proposed.

I do not feel that your suggestion will give the freedom you seem to want to offer, while giving players who cannot think of their own path a linear progression.

I personally do not see a need for a class system in any RPG. This just masks that with the ability to choose what class you are after 30.

I will give you a good example of what you've described. EQ2 pre-combat and career changes.

You chose a warrior, who at level 10 could choose a subtype who then at 20? could choose a specialized role. Quite frankly it was overly complex when the exact same choice could have been made at level one, so why not go that far with the suggestion?

Why should I have to play 30 levels of a subclass I don't want to really play just to unlock the class I do want to play(I am not in favor of this either, it is just an example)?

I must prefer a classless system where the player can choose the role they which to fulfill by choosing from a selection of skills to level up. Now, I do know this is not how it is now - it is the direction I would like it to go.

Well, I wish you luck in polishing your idea so that it may sway a player's opinion such as my own. Take care!

-Have Fun