Here, we have multiple pages of hot bars available, at the click of a mouse, or a hotkey. So one looking to organize spells/items in a specific way have the freedom to do just that. One can even use this system to assign a slot to a specific spell level. So, in essence, the system that's being asked for here already exists, and is, in fact, simpler than what's being requested, once the player actually takes a moment to set them up. Since this is turn based, it's even easier to gain access to them, since the game is essentially paused at the beginning of every turn. So I don't see what the difference is between clicking to change a hot bar, and clicking to bring up a new hot bar? Except that, in the former case, you're taking up less screen real estate, which is the point of the thread?
Most of us aren't asking for the removal of a hotbar. We just want a proper UI
in addition to the hotbar. Hotbars are a great idea, but they should be the
optional location to put abilities we use often, not the default location for every single ability/spell/item.
E.g., there should be a single window dedicated entirely - and only - to spells, that automatically sorts them by level and whether they're prepared or not. In Larian's current mess of a UI, it'd be a hotbar icon that brings up a pop-up for all prepared spells, itself divided into pages of spell level. If you want, you can then drag spells from that popup onto your hotbar for easy use! But, if you want the hotbar to remain less cluttered, you also can not do that, because you can cast spells directly from that dedicated spell pop-up.
Level 10 wizards will know something like 30 spells, and be able to prepare like 20 of them including cantrips. Every time you prepare spells, some of these icons will be removed from the hotbar and others added. Combined with icons for items/abilities you gain, this will be an absolute mess to deal with without a better UI system.
