Sorcerer vs. Spellcaster

[Tryxx]

Unearthed Arcana drew my attention for various reasons, but I have just recently noticed the generic Spellcaster (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/genericClasses.htm#spellcaster) class. Is it me, or does the Spellcaster chassis far and away beat the core Sorcerer?

A Spellcaster has:


HD equal to a Sorcerer
Saves equal to a Sorcerer
10 more net class skills than a Sorcerer. (All Knowledges!)
Skill points equal to a Sorcerer
A single simple weapon proficiency
Bonus feats at 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th (Untyped!)
Selects spells known from the cleric, druid, and sorcerer/wizard spell lists
Selects own casting stat: arcane - Int/Cha, divine - Wis
Slower Spells Known/Spells per Day progression

Even with the crappy weapon proficiency, and the slower spell progression, is the Spellcaster not strictly better at magic than a core sorcerer?

If given the choice, why would I ever want to limit myself to the (admittedly powerful) Sorc/Wiz list, when I could have more spell versatility, skill points, and bonus feats? Benefiting from a weapon by holding it does not require a proficiency, summon familiar can easily be replaced with a feat, and the lower spells per day can be taken care of with an optimized casting stat.

Prestige Classes bring up another point. Many full-caster PRC's require 3rd level spells - with this chassis you get a bonus feat on the way there. Sure, they're not worth staying in the class 15 levels, but every little bit helps.

Am I missing anything here, or is this class just what the Sorcerer should have been?

[JaronK]

Well, for one thing, you can't use generic classes with other classes. In any one campaign, you have generics or regular, that's it. So the real answer is "because it's not even an option."

JaronK

[DarkSonic1337]

And if your DM does allow you to use Sorcerer alongside spellcaster, Sorcerer does still have some goodies.

There are some very good sorcerer only spells as well as alternative class features and substitution levels.

Divine Companion or Metamagic specialist can be really nice, Stalwart Sorcerer has it's place in some builds, and Wings of Cover, Wings of Flurry, and Arcane Fusion (and greater) are kind of painful losses.

While on this topic, I'm playing a spellcaster going into swiftblade in a game (DM is indeed allowing generic classes alongside normal classes....but nobody is playing a Rogue, Fighter, or Sorcerer anyway so there haven't been any direct comparisons). Any opinions on what Cleric/Druid spells I should be looking at for my spells known?