[KaVir]

I assigned point values to each bonus type, and used that as a guide for deciding which bonuses a particular power, talent, spell or combat technique should have. As the number of abilities increased, I got a better feel for the balance, and started to rely more on instinct.

Making older abilities obsolete as you progress is a pet peeve of mine though. What's the point in having a dozen fireball spells if each is just a stronger version of the last? Rather than padding out a class with redundant abilities, I prefer to have abilities that can be upgraded, and make an effort to ensure that each one offers something unique.