Then there also could be an "Extreme Hardcore" mode, which is permanent death. But that option would only be opened if you get to 40 with a hardcore character first. Extreme hardcore is permanent death via mob OR a pkill. :P

It'd be a fun race to watch to see who'd be highest there. But that brings up the whole unanswerable problem of "class balance". Opinions are like assholes - everybody has one.