im not realy seeing the connection here.
Sven didnt say anything about spell slots IIRC, and as for leveling i think the argument was that in DnD you level very slowly and he wants more progression?
I mean this is a concern, a lot of people playing RPGs dont get itemization in DnD.
I get people at level 1 asking a shopkeeper for a better armor.
dude you got plate armor, thats the best there is unless you enchant it
Still, the thing about missing isnt malicious, i just think the combat system will be a strong deviation from traditionalist systems that try to emulate dice rolling