[flankspeed]

I’m glad to know I’m not alone in preferring to be free from class distinctions.

I do understand the game mechanical and/or lore purpose of the Hero/Wizard distinction, but I fall on the side of leaving that up to the GM. If playing in a High Fantasy, Medieval setting with magic use being rare, then use the rules as written. But if playing in an Elder Scrolls type setting where anyone can do anything, then implement house rules to remove the Hero/Wizard distinction.

It’s all a matter of taste, but I would prefer the rules-as-written to allow as much freedom as possible, leaving it up to the GM to institute any restrictions peculiar to their particular campaign setting.

If, on the other hand, two players are trying to construct a balanced combat scenario using Melee and Wizard, then perhaps it is useful for game balance to retain the Hero/Wizard distinction.