I am in the specialization camp. Gain access to the correct types of skills. load out your skill bar correctly and game gives you a digital cookie by changing your class identifier to x. while you are under that designation the game could modify the underlying math magic for attack, def, hp, mp, spell potency, buff/debuff durations the list goes on. Class locked gear and weapon variants for these sub classes. Even quested "Signature" Abilities to further cement the identity of the specializations.

The paradigms for the "Traditional" classes are alive and well with in the armory right now its just up to us to piece them together. The thing about this way is it keeps every thing fluid and nimble like it is now and adds a layer of order to the chaos. you would see some one designated as a Paladin and you would have a general idea (with in a reasonable margin) of what that character is loaded out with and by virtue of knowing what it takes to classify as one of the specialized classes you define the originating class.

I might be rambling here to some but let me try to give an example of what i am typing about.

Lets say you are currently a marauder. Load your bar out with purely offensive skills and you would qualify as a berserker. Load out Defensively and earn the class designation of viking. If you are feeling really frisky you can load out offensively and add in some of the Absorbs and Syphons from Thm to Qualify for the coveted Dark Knight title. Or you can load out with a balance of attack and defense skills to Keep your title of Marauder.

Its what were already doing with the armory just with the game giving it recognition and broadcasting it to other players.