Min/Max Boards

I agree the spells per day isn't an issue.
Things which bugger me about the Sorcerer class:
-A spell level behind prepared casters (easy enough to fix, didn't make much sense to begin with)
-Inability to use metamagic effectively (yes, there are feats/ACFs to reduce the casting time, but it really shouldn't have taken longer to begin with)
-As a CHA-focused caster, INT falls somewhere around third or fourth (depending on how you feel about DEX) in your stat priority, giving you very few skill points with your 2 base (this is more a problem with the skill system in general)
-Even if you had lots of skill points, you skill selection is pretty shitty
-The one that annoys me the most is a lack of actual class features - you have no reason to even consider staying in the base class once a PrC is available.

Shadowcraft Mage is a great example of a class that make Sorcerers fantastically flexible, and perhaps something could be taken from that. A spellcraft check to emulate a spell, at reduced strength? Just a basic suggestion, would need a lot of fleshing out to make it not-as-silly as an actual SC Mage.

That actually sounds like a somewhat interesting system in exchange for PHB spontaneous spellcasting. The skill DCs would have to be high enough at every level (would be a weird formula) to be achievable, but difficult (unfortunately optimization would negate it or you would end up with a Truenamer-like system).

Out of curiosity, and I realize this is kind of off topic (and probably asinine), but what are the optimal stat weights without feats/class abilities? My guess would be Con>Str>Int/Dex>Wis>Cha.

Couldn't the same be said of picking a class with a higher HD (full roll) or higher skill points (x4) at the first level? Also, a character who took vow of poverty later than first level recieves less feats. A class with advanced learning options (warmage, beguiler, wilder, etc.) certainly functions better when staggered with a +spellcasting PRC at strategic points. This isn't the only place where rules like this exist.

I believe the reason for this is because they wanted initiators to be compatible with older content without much penalization. This is especially important because it's one of the last official books for 3.5. I really have no problem with it. While initiators become a very strong multiclass option later on, I've never felt like they were a bad option early on either. Without this kind of progression, you'd be stuck taking solely utility maneuvers in most multiclass situations.

If you were especially irritated by this, you could base it off of base attack bonus somehow. Or just say only certain classes qualify (specifically melee/non-caster types).

I am playing a fairly high optimization campaign where I play a Wizard/Shadowcraft Mage/Shadowcrafter/Shadow Adept. Like I said, a fair amount of optimization is necessary, but 'broken' is frowned upon (i.e. Shadow miracles, and that kind of stuff). The rest of the party is rather large and includes a RKV (BSF), an Erudite+Arch Psion (blaster), a druid (with dragon wildshape+planar shepherd, but I've never seen him use any of it), a rogue build that I'm not super clear on the details (glass cannon), a lyric thuermaturge/sublime chord (face+dispeller) and a wizard/abjurant champion/paragnostic apostle/saint (gish). Many 'tricks' are acceptable for example: I am currently running with earth spell+residual metamagic+0th level silent images+etc., but force caging/trapping the soul everything is not okay.

Despite the fact that we are level 17-18, we fight mostly epic monsters. The DM is generally one person, but could be variable, and we generally don't play with everyone present.

*Eventually*, we will be entering epic levels, and I am at a loss as to go from there. I am not super familiar with epic levels or epic spell casting. However, most of my party has run epic characters. From what I am aware of, they have mostly maintained the epic spell casting rules, but done away with the epic spells provided. In effect, you still take a feat for epic spell casting and epic spell casting slots, but need group approval for epic spells specific to your character. Shadow conjuration/evocation has not been discussed yet, as it has never come up before.

While epic level is on the horizon, it is certainly inevitable. I am mostly making this post as a thought experiment. I do not see many epic level postings on this board. I am wondering what are decent options for how to proceed as an epic Shadowcraft mage? How should epic shadow conjuration/evocation function?

I have been considering suggesting implementing this: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37410 instead of epic spellcasting. I think it is a better system, but I know a lot of the other players (along with the DM) are a fan of making epic spells, even if they agree the epic spellcasting system has its flaws.

Buildwise, I have been considering the following:
-Ultimate magus (with a beguiler entry)
-Anima Mage (with a binder entry)
-Continuing Shadowcrafter progression
-Mind Mage (from Dragon Magazine [would require approval] with a psion entry)

Keep in mind, I'm tending towards a practical optimization standpoint, while trying to maintain fun/relevance for my party members and not frustrate the DM. I tend to focus on summoning+battlefield control.

I've always liked the idea of a factotum who uses this as much as possible: http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4400.0

I don't think you should worry too much, while you won't be a powerhouse, you'll have SLAs/UMD/Knowledge Devotion/Factotum combat abilities and should always have something to contribute. If you really need more combat options improved trip, imperious command, poisons (would go well with necropolitan, imo) aren't bad choices.

sirpercival just asked if your dm would accept homebrew. If yes, I am a fan of of the Martial Factotum ACF (there are two, just google it), it trades SLAs for maneuvers.