I believe it is a core aspect of D&D.
D&D is a class based game where you increase level in classes and escalate through official or unofficial tiers of play.
When it come to classes, I agree with @squibbles. There are some generic band broad classes (fighters, wizards, rogues). And there are some special and narrow classes that display some key D&D tropes (barbarians, rangers, paladins, warlocks)
I don't think you can start an edition of D&D without at least 8 classes, 20 levels, and 3 tiers of play anymore. It's the minimum to feel D&Dish.
D&D is a class based game where you increase level in classes and escalate through official or unofficial tiers of play.
When it come to classes, I agree with @squibbles. There are some generic band broad classes (fighters, wizards, rogues). And there are some special and narrow classes that display some key D&D tropes (barbarians, rangers, paladins, warlocks)
I don't think you can start an edition of D&D without at least 8 classes, 20 levels, and 3 tiers of play anymore. It's the minimum to feel D&Dish.