Calling all number crunchers - UA ?

[I'm A Banana]

I do agree with you that it amounts to LA, but I don't think it's a very elegant system as written.

Exactly, it's not a very elegant system. The problem is that everything is balanced for people who get save increases, HD, BAB, +1 spellcaster level, +x skill points, etc. at every level. When you don't get any of those 'level staples', it hardcore weakens your character. +2 Str may compensate for +1 BAB, but you'd have to give +2 to *all* ability scores something like every other level to keep creatures who don't get anything else in line with others.

If the PC classes had 'phantom levels,' and things were balanced with that in mind, it would mitigate the problem, or if monsters were designed more like racial classes without 'phantom levels,' that would also solve the problem. Each requires a pretty significant re-write of the system, though, so don't expect it. Something like 'shell out 900 xp/level' is probably the best middle ground you're going to get.