I'm sorry, but I can't take this seriously, because the reality is that you're saying that the 32 Formals I have is somehow more powerful than the nearly 4 extra columns (just shy that last 9th level spell) I'd have, otherwise.
Let's compare:
Those formals give earth access to a full 30pt AA (for free, no useless "WEA" for you).
And access to:
Bane and Cloak - better than Reflect/Spell shield in some situations
Foresight
Formal Link
Magic Augmentation - being able to cast far more quickly and in more situations (silenced)
Ritual Manipulations (Spark/true empowerment, among others)
Spell crafting
15 more body
Healer's resolve (
potentially more healing than you'd have with the extra column, depending on where you're at, though not chunks of healing as large)
Rebirth
Plus the ability to read ritual scrolls outside of a perma-celestial circle of power one is invested in
Plus just access to casting every earth/general aspect ritual - which casters are under no obligation to do for martial classes, I might add.
Now let's look at Profs/backstabs (since they are the closest thing to giving out "free" things for martial classes):
Profs give access to:
Disarm
Stun Limb
Shatter
Eviscerate
Slay
Parry
Riposte
Backstabs give:
Evade
Dodge
Stun Limb
Disarm
Shatter
Terminate
Assassinate
While the numbers are generally close in terms of what these give you, the martial abilities are all set-in-stone abilities, you can't really alter what they do. They just are.
The other side of things is:
Profs/Assassinates give you persistent damage
Having formals means you have at least 36 spells at your disposal (4 column) or 45 (I think?) with a tier drop as well. And Celestial even gets more benefit with Wand charges, wand damage (often as high or higher than fighters with burst pool plus wand rituals), and the ability to Spirit Store into golems.
Conclusion? *shrug*
None at this point...