ELH is what Core DnD should be like.

[mmadsen]

A skill based system for D&D would make prep time and NPC design a nightmare. IMO.

Not if it provided classes on top of the skill- and feat-based system. After all, designing NPC Fighters and Experts isn't a nightmare now.

Actually, the system could use subclasses too -- 1E-style classes with no wiggle-room, defining what an Nth-level Knight, Archer, Pikeman, Spartan Hoplite, etc. looks like in terms of skill and feat choices.

 

[mmadsen]

While I think that a more customizable, feat-based approach would be nice for lower level play, I have doubts whether it is still manageable at higher levels.

I was just thinking that some of the Epic Feats in the ELH might work fine in a lower-level game -- and that even epic-level Skills could work too. It's the epic-level Magic Items that seem to make everything over-the-top powerful.

I wouldn't mind a Fighter burning up some of his Feats in order to become a "giant killer" whose every sword stroke has Giant Bane on it.