What about combat more similar to Final Fantasy Tactics instead of regular. I find it much more enthralling and it entails more strategy of sorts. Wouldnt be a whole lot harder to do either.
Also, put me down for the website/host if you choose to move away from Kevs site.
I may be down to help with some coding, but I'll wait and see what is left after more anxious people dig in

I think that skill based instead of Class based could be cool, why limit!
In the past I've done: (for combat skills)
Offense (affect % hit)
Defense (affect % evade)
Armor (absorbs % of hit, based on armor worn + any natural)
Damage (inflicts damage, based on weapon + any natural)
Speed (if using ff tactics type engine, or even FF engine, how quickly you move or can attack)
Life/Health
Mana/Magic
Possibly break client down into:
2D and 3D (LWJGL) also
or maybe just LWJGL :O