- any spell you cast competes with a far superior sneak attack
I didnt read whole topic, so im sory if someone allready mentioned that ... but as far as i know, this statement is false.
I mean feel free to corect me, since i dont really know tabletop rules so well as for example Niara ... but as far as i know (and i mean i believe i heared that somewhere) Sneak Attack bonus damage SHOULD be applicable to Spells, if you spec Arcane Tricster.
So, if this information is corect and i didnt mess it with something else, there shouldnt really be any decisions in the first place.

I also believe that alone would give Arcane Trickster quite conciderable push, when people are deciding their spec.