The arguments against the old cross-class feel more like an issue with the implementation than the concept. Yeah having to get to 34 or whatever (especially when the cap was 50) for an absolutely vital skill was stupid, but I still feel like the core idea was sound.

I also miss protect, and the old stoneskin II. It didn't take long, and as weird as it might sound, I feel things like a tiny bit of pre-fight buffing help immersion.

The ARR trim is totally fine though. It was fun at the time, but looking back a lot of it is definitely side-quest material.