D&D with its fixed paths is too simple (ignore multi-classing, that's outright bad) and GURPS is way too loose. I'd go with unique perks/traits that you gain over time, and a suggested list of skills you advance in. So you start with distributing points to a fixed set of skills and a given set of traits. And later you can continue that path or deviate from it to get a unique character. I like how Pathfinder 2e allows you to touch into a lot of topics by giving you a lot of feats ourside of your class path. A few skills could be given just by a trait, like the gnome tinkerer class that builds gadgets. You get something like Craft (Gadget), which no one else has/can roll on.
I wouldn't give any besides stuff like: if elves in your world are all kinda "good" characters, they'd not be warlocks. Or if you have some evil species, they wouldn't work well with a class "Paladin" except it's a paladin for an evil deity. I wouldn't add any additional hurdles. If you have fitting attributes, you should be able to pick it... fitting as in: if you have intelligence 5 and intelligence is what you need to cast, you better not be a caster then. :-P
Also again: flair. I like for everything if a play can put their flair onto it. I have an archetype/class "Warchef". That could be a flair of an "alchemist". Creating tiny cakes and snacks instead of potions.
D&D with its fixed paths is too simple (ignore multi-classing, that's outright bad) and GURPS is way too loose. I'd go with unique perks/traits that you gain over time, and a suggested list of skills you advance in. So you start with distributing points to a fixed set of skills and a given set of traits. And later you can continue that path or deviate from it to get a unique character. I like how Pathfinder 2e allows you to touch into a lot of topics by giving you a lot of feats ourside of your class path. A few skills could be given just by a trait, like the gnome tinkerer class that builds gadgets. You get something like Craft (Gadget), which no one else has/can roll on.
So I'm curious, though -- are there boundaries as to what a PC CAN play? Are there any walls, or limitations as to what someone can choose?
Say like due to a race, or lower stats?
...or maybe you get bonuses for some races, but not weaknesses??
I wouldn't give any besides stuff like: if elves in your world are all kinda "good" characters, they'd not be warlocks. Or if you have some evil species, they wouldn't work well with a class "Paladin" except it's a paladin for an evil deity. I wouldn't add any additional hurdles. If you have fitting attributes, you should be able to pick it... fitting as in: if you have intelligence 5 and intelligence is what you need to cast, you better not be a caster then. :-P
Also again: flair. I like for everything if a play can put their flair onto it. I have an archetype/class "Warchef". That could be a flair of an "alchemist". Creating tiny cakes and snacks instead of potions.