Well, if I had my choice...
I'd rather replace the term 'Race' with 'Culture' and include more than one option for 'Human' characters, along with the traditional Tolkien types. I'd do away with the notion of 'Half Races' accordingly ("was he brought up as an Orc or a Human?"). Human Cultures could be 'Civilised Man' and 'Barbarian', for example.
I'd ditch the Cleric as a separate class, and hone in on the Paladin being the sole 'Holy Warrior' class. I'd base the Class on the Charisma Ability, and remove the spell list aspect of the class for progressive healing, leadership and protection powers (along with strong martial abilities). Similarly, I'd keep the Druid but do away with spell lists - make them based upon inherent magical abilities and skills, rather than Vancian style casting.
I'd combine all the 'Magic-Using' types (Wizard, Warlock, Witch, Sorcerer, Illusionist, Specialist, etc) into one Intelligence based caster, but who was customizable to utilize different magical styles and systems by using Feats and the like. If you want a spontaneous caster, then there should be a mechanism in the rules to allow it. If you want to make pacts with otherworldly sources, there should be a mechanism to do it. If you want at-will powers, there should be mechanisms to do it. If you want to base your magic off an alternative Ability there should be feats to allow you to do it. If you just want to play a generalized Vancian caster, then you should be allowed to do it.
I'd like Fighters to be customizable to different styles and types just like Mages above would be. No more Barbarian class (just customize the Fighter to play that way).
I'd make Rangers a core class that was differentiated apart from fighters by focussing on the hunt. They'd be capable warriors, but not specialists. Instead, they'd be resilient trackers and survivalists, hunters, scouts and skirmishers. They'd be cased upon Constitution.
I'd have all Classes built on the basis of an association with a prime Ability:
Strength: Fighters (all types).
Dexterity: Rogues (all types)
Constitution: Rangers (all types).
Intelligence: Mages (all types).
Wisdom: Druids
Charisma: Paladins.
I'd make good use of Theme and Background to categorize and personalize those classes
I want to make miniatures a non-compulsary aspect of gameplay.
I'd produce a single core 'Basic" self-contained rule book (or box), and then produce 'Advanced D&D' supplements to expand the game towards different styles of play.
I'd ensure that all materials were IPad compatible, by releasing everything as online PDFs, including all previous editions of the game.
Hows that?
