How slow of a spellcasting progression should a versatile at will caster get? [3.5]

[Temotei]

It was more about throwing them some bones for giving up the highest levels of spells. You can reshape reality at will but you can't hit the broad side of a barn? Besides it's marginally useful depending on what you are facing\your spell list choices.

I like the charges idea too, just giving everyone metamagic may begin to seem like a copout. They really need to do something with the magic though to make lower level at-wills appealing or it'll never be used

Agreed on all points.