[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Originally Posted by Kaisoku

- Classes: Base classes are cleaned up, tweaked and made a bit more clear. On top of that (or possibly as a higher priority), they've been improved to be able to compete against Splatbook base classes, and to give a reason to NOT just multiclass or head into a PrC asap.
This means Wizards, Sorcerers, and Fighter especially are given new sets of class abilities.

I disagree with the "cleaning up" part - the new Barbarian Rage Points or the Monk Ki Points, nor the spellcasters extra spell-like abilities feel like cleaing-up. The new class abilities are maybe one of my bigger complaint about the actual changes I have seen. (Aside from my complaints about the things that have not been addressed, but ... well, that's not a real complaint. I didn't really expect this to be possible within the "design parameters" of Pathfinder.)

- Combat: In order to fix Grappling and to make combat maneuvers like Trip, Disarm, etc, more appealing and less scary to attempt to use, they made what's called a "CMB, Combat Maneuver Bonus". Use the same stat for doing anything, making attempting or resisting these things easier to adjudicate during combat.

- Magic Items: Philosophical change in how Stat boosting items are given out. An attempt to trim the Xmas tree effect.

- Fundemental Change... No XP Costs/Penalties.
Favored Class gives a bonus, instead of altering xp penalties... since no more xp penalties for multiclassing.
Spells and more importantly, Magic Items, no longer require XP. Spells with xp costs now have a gold cost (Wish has been toned down to compensate, etc), and magic items assume the cost of the Feat covers the xp that used to be required, so getting the Feat basically means you get that set of magic items at half price (but need to spend time).

I definitely approve of these changes.