James Gasik
We don't talk about Pun-Pun
Given that the DMG has rules for creating entirely new classes, I think this comes down to the developers not wanting to ostracize people transitioning from 1e. Just like how they decided to use Thac0 instead of ascending AC (which we now know was something discussed), perhaps they thought letting "anyone" be a Paladin or Specialty Wizard would be received poorly. People were used to certain classes being special snowflakes, rare and beautiful butterflies that only the chosen few had an opportunity to play.*
*Certainly, I can tell you, no DM I ever played with allowed the UA character creation rules!
So the high requirements were kept, but there was ample advice to the DM saying "hey, just let them play what they want to."
I don't like this approach, mind you, but when I played 2e, I never questioned it. It's just the way the game was. When 3e came out and said "hey, nobody needs a plot coupon to play whatever race/class they want to", I was floored. What a concept!
*Certainly, I can tell you, no DM I ever played with allowed the UA character creation rules!
So the high requirements were kept, but there was ample advice to the DM saying "hey, just let them play what they want to."
I don't like this approach, mind you, but when I played 2e, I never questioned it. It's just the way the game was. When 3e came out and said "hey, nobody needs a plot coupon to play whatever race/class they want to", I was floored. What a concept!