Yeah it puzzles me why games like Rift and SWTOR etc copy WoW by offering 3 talent trees but then also copy all the mistakes WoW made. Players work out nice hybrid builds that suit their playstyle. Then they nerf it in ways that make hybrid builds impossible by moving key talents out of reach. So you have to focus on one tree, where the narrow range of talents means everyone ends up with the same build. It's just an illusion of choice. I guess it's the easiest way for devs to balance things, but it makes for boring cookie cutter classes.
I'd like to see a system where you you learn / earn extra abilities and talents based on your gameplay. So the more you play in a certain way the more your character evolves in that direction. This way you don't need pre-set classes, players evolve them as they wish by their actions. And as players get proficient in a range of disciplines, it is the gear you wear and carry which determines what you are capable of. So if you want a Mage in Plate (as per Dragon Age) you can try it, but you have to accept the limitations that Plate armour imposes on you. Or else you wear light robes and accept being squishy. Same for swords, shields, 2-handers and so on, you can try dual wielding in plate if you wish, but the limitations might mean you're better off in leather (again, as per DA:O). Warriors being viable as ranged with bows, sure, if they equip and train for it. Let people put together the character they want to be. It would be very hard to min-max in this situation, because you would need to evolve your character and this would take time. It wouldn't be a case of, new patch and time to respec to the latest FOTM build. You would have to work on the new direction you want to take your character.