Man you can make physical classes plenty viable in 3.5. Especially at level 15, before casters have stupid level 9 spell slots. You just have to use the right items and the right prestige classes and the right feats. It's more work relatively speaking, and requires you to think more as you play at times, but doable (and arguably more difficult to hose than a caster).
I think the discrepancy is worse if you have less control over what items you get, if you don't get enough items, or don't control your stats, because physical characters just need more stats and items than spellcasters who gain relatively less from both.
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No problem!
This is a cute and pop genocide of love!