Multi-classing has no reward?

[Seraphor]

The reward for multi-classing... is being able to play multiple classes.
I don't see how there's anything "punishing" about that.

The cross class system was removed because it was too demanding on players.
Cross class skills became meta, and then you weren't required to just level up the classes you wanted, you HAD to level up every class that shared a skill with it as well.

Warriors HAD to level up Paladin as well, or they wouldn't have access to Provoke. Summoners HAD to level up Back Mage, or they wouldn't have Thunder. etc.
Basically, you were punished if you DIDN'T multi-class.