I’m kind of glad to hear this, to be honest. While many of the Diablo II classes are near and dear to my heart, I think the new game should first and foremost offer a new experience. I loved how Diablo II didn’t include any of the playable classes from Diablo (except as NPCs), and I tend to think it should be the same here. I don’t mind the Barbarian returning, but am happy to have four other completely new classes to look forward to.

Interesting. The hints before suggested we’d see ‘some’ others.  Well, that’s no bad thing really.  So no:

• Warrior
  
• Sorcerer
  
• Rogue
  
• Amazon
  
• Assassin
  
• Druid
  
• Necromancer
  
• Paladin
  
• Monk
  
• Bard
  

Maybe they will not include any classes that are exactly like the old ones namewise, but they will probably fall into similiar categories. For example, it’s hard to imagine a Diablo game without a Sorcerer class type. However, if they can come up with really new cool classes, I don’t mind… it will be exciting to see at BlizzCon.

This is unfortunate. Where’s the love for the Necromancer,Sorceress,Paladin? Sure they can tweak them and give them a new name but wouldn’t that be self defeating in their idea of coming out with new classes of character? Actually,Blizzard only going with 5 character classes in itself is disappointing. Personally I think they should of went with 10 classes, 5 from Diablo 1 & 2, and 5 new classes.I’m sure Diablo 3 will be great but I hope they don’t completely kill off these great characters.

I’m really looking forward to the new classes! I mean I have built tons of necros barbs druids…last thing i want to do is rebuild the same old stuff! and it has been mentioned before that d1 didn’t drag the same classes over so what is the big deal…
If it takes 2 more years to develop then I will cry for 2 more years LOL

Good news! Even though an old class would have been severly revamped, many skills would have been the same (like the d2 and d3 barb).

So which are the new classes?

A wild guess:
* Some kind of Zakarum Priest (a bit more caster oriented than the paladin)

Here´s to hoping the Blizzcon will reveal lots of goodies!

Good riddance to the Paladin and the rest of them.
New classes brings new skills and a whole new experience.
Never want to see a blessed hammer again.

Umm… sorry but Witch Doctor sure looks a lot like a Necromancer to me.  Maybe a Necromancer combined with a Druid.  In "not bringing D2 characters back" they are talking about strict names and classes, but the underlying identities will still exist in some way.  We will certainly have:

1. Brutish person who hits things: (STR)
D1 - Warrior; D2 - Barbarian; D3 - Barbarian
2. Person who shoots things with a bow: (DEX)
D1 - Rogue; D2 - Amazon; D3 - ? Ranger?
3. Physically weak person who uses strong spells: (INT)
D1 - Sorcerer; D2 - Sorceress; D3 - ? Warlock? Conjurer? Illusionist?

Diablo 2 expanded on these:
4. Holy-oriented person:
D2 - Paladin; D3 - ? Adept? Cleric?
5. Death-oriented person:
D2 - Necro; D3 - Witch Doctor

Witch Doctor also takes the role of Druid.  As for Assassin, I haven’t a guess, probably something new, and that will probably be in the expansion.

It’s a good thing you’ve played the final game and know exactly what you’re talking about SwordSlash.

Yeah, if I made a comment like yours to someone I’d get warned by the mods. 

The point is it’s not hard to figure out most of the probable characters with a small amount of analysis.  I understand things.  Not my fault everyone doesn’t…