I hate the sorcerer class.
Pretty inflammatory statement, eh? I should clarify it, of course. I think that the sorcerer class is a great idea if you are going to keep the Wizard class that has been handed down as the "Magic User" since time immemorial (or at least since the 70's). If you're going to have the "prepare and forget" style of magic, then introducing a spontaneous caster like the sorcerer isn't a bad way to go.
However, I have another option. Instead of creating a separate "spontaneous caster" class, allow the Wizard to spontaneously cast spells instead. Keep the Wizard class exactly as it is in progression, Hit Dice, Special Abilities, etc. Give them a "Spell Mastery" ability every level, where the player can pick a spell every level that is "mastered" by the wizard. This spell can be cast spontaenously, replacing any previously prepared spell of the same level or lower - just like the clerical spontaneous casting ability.
This needs to be tweaked a little bit, of course. Every few levels maybe a bonus spell could be mastered. There could be a feat that allows a Wizard a few bonus "mastered" spells. Use Intelligence for all spell casting under this system - don't use Charisma for the spontaneous spells. Regardless, the end result is that Wizards are allowed to spontaneously cast spells that they've mastered and still prepare spells that they haven't mastered beforehand to cast the old "prepare and forget" way.
Now, I already hear some people screaming about game balance and how the Wizard would overpower everyone else. But lets take a look - how does this really affect the Wizard's game balance. What does the ability to replace prepared spells with mastered spells give the Wizard? A little more flexibility in his preparation, really. A Wizard could have Magic Missile mastered, and then prepare any number of more interesting non-combat spells instead. Or he could prepare other combat spells without needing to worry about not having his needed point and shoot spell. Like the new clerical spontaneous casting rules, this allows a player to select some more interesting spells for his character and not worry about not having his most useful spell when its needed.
So what about balance against other characters? He's no longer balanced with the Sorcerer, but that's okay because we don't need the Sorcerer class any longer. This doesn't really affect his balance against other characters to my mind - the Wizard is still limited to the same number of spells per day, even if he can perform spontaneous casting to shuffle those spells around. Of course, this needs to be play-tested to be certain of how it will work. I think I'll talk to one of my players and see if he'd be interested in a revised Wizard instead of the Sorcerer he's currently playing.
