the fact that there were so many different skill sets, or professions as you call them, was one of the main factors of the game, people tend to misunderstand what balance really means, or at least have misconceptions. Balance isnt about everyone being equal, i just wish people would understand that, it was possible to learn skills that didnt give a positive edge in combat, but not all skills were combat related, or if they were, sometimes they were a necessary step towards another skill that did give a significant edge, in combat. The balance issue, in SWG, was not the professions as such, it was the ludicrously overpowered buffs, the trouble is, in that combating this problem, they threw out the baby along with the bathwater, and the game has suffered from it ever since, even now, balance issues are still a problem, if not becoming more of a problem. its about time the buff system, underwent a significant nerfing. they need to really concentrate on core mechanics, rather than this 'lets bolt on another tier' mentality.