After reviewing the new approach to cleric domains and wizard schools, I like most everything I'm seeing. However, one area that seems to be getting left behind is the spell lists. Under 3.X, the cleric domains provided access to certain spells that didn't normally appear on the cleric's spell list...i.e., an occasional druid or sorcerer/wizard spell was borrowed to help define a specific domain's spells...and, of course, they were only available as domain spells.
In some regards, the new domain powers still help to grant a spell-like ability that may mimic a traditional druid or sorcerer/wizard spell, but there's still a lot more spells that will potentially be left lying on the cutting room floor with this approach. My suggestion would be to further enhance the domains (and arcane schools) to provide additional spells to the PC's spell list when he selects that domain (or school).
For instance, the old Fire domain from 3.X granted:
1st - Burning Hands
2nd - Produce Flame
3rd - Resist Energy (cold or fire)
4th - Wall of Fire
5th - Fire Shield
6th - Fire Seeds
7th - Fire Storm
8th - Incendiary Cloud
9th - Elemental Swarm
The new Fire domain in PRPG gives:
1st - Fire Bolt (at will; 1d6 damage +1 per 2 caster levels)
2nd - Burning Hands (1/day per 2 caster levels)
4th - Resist Energy (1/day; fire only)
8th - Crown of Flames (at will for number of rounds equal to caster level, 1d6 fire damage +1 per 2 caster levels when struck)
12th - Wall of Fire (3/day)
16th - Fire Storm (1/day)
20th - Elemental Swarm (1/day, fire elementals only)
Basically, if you examine those lists of abilities, produce flame, resist energy (cold), fire shield, fire seeds, and incendiary cloud all disappear from the PRPG Fire domain. And yet, many of those spells make perfect sense to allow a Fire-devoted priest to cast.
So, my recommendation would be to check back through the cross-class spells that the old domains used to provide, which the new domains left behind, and then just add them to the available spell list for a cleric who chooses that domain. A similar check could also be made for the arcane schools to see if there are potential cross-class spells that could be added to the specialist's spell list...thereby further distinguishing him from the universalist wizard (i.e., some of these cross-class spells a universalist would never learn, because he didn't devote himself to the very specialized study of that arcane school).
Just my two-cents,
--Neil
Actually I'll go one step further... just like arcanist spells are split into schools with some universal spells, divine spells should be split into domain spells with some universal... The shujenga in the Complete Divine has a similiar premise (instead of domain, it's elements)and I think it works really well... so prestige classes that would let you pick a third domain would expand your spell repertoire and maybe you could have a feat that would also allow you to add in a third domain... I really do believe that a priest of Pharasma whos domains are death andknowledge should be casting radically different spells than one whos domains are healing and water....
I agree that Cleric with the Fire Domain should still allow access to Fire Spells especially those that standard clerics don't get. But the new Domain Powers are abilities that increase over time as you gain levels. So this list is only those items you can cast 'at will', '3x/day', etc.
I am hoping the final spell list will grant the access to certain spells based on the Spell Descriptor. Maybe that is the fix, all Clerics have access to spells with a descriptor of their domain. But your right they still need to figure out how to give access to spells based on more abstract Domains, like Animal. And you have to decide if Fire Clerics should be able to cast Fireball, or make it a special power for Arcane casters.
I also agree with Praetor' comments about spell selection. To a degree, a Cleric should only be able to cast spells based on their Domains. Only Clerics with Healing and Protection Domains should cast 'Cure' Spells. Clerics of War and the Sun could not. Maybe they still channel positive energy (which now heals I think), but not straight 'Cure' spells. Likewise, the Clerics of Healing and Protection (if you only have those Domains) might not be able to cast Spiritual Weapon. All that said, it probably is not a good idea due to class balancing issues. I personally run my NPC's that way though.
And as long as I am rambling, I think Sorcerer's are similar. I think Sorcerers should cast spells based on some sort of theme. If you have Red Dragon Blood, you should not cast Magic Missile or Lightning Bolts. You should be throwing Lesser Fire Orbs and Fireballs.