Sorry Drolyt; if you reread the previous post, you'll notice that I don't consider "so-and-so is more powerful" a valid point of argument.
I'll discuss points individually but basing policy around "I can do this if my GM doesn't mind me dictating his game to him" is not something i'm willing to do. And yes, that's how i hear the crux of your previous post.
No, i'm not wrong, just different, old-school and stubborn as hell.
OP: I agree dead levels are boring. I just don't agree that any level with spellcasting on it can be called a Dead Level without me grinning at you.
Anyway, I duly await the next evil-tastic iteration of the class. Roll on Sir Chivalry!