Really? It might just be that I've always used it in gestalt, but to me it's always come across as really powerful. Can give yourself a large smörgåsbord of passive improvements and options, or just focus on one thing into oblivion. Can grapple somebody in an inescapable grip, melt somebody to slag with acid javelins, ect..Plus, it can have a perfect action economy use, thanks to picking powers with different activation times so you can always use them all (melee need more damage for swift? use mutilate! Squishy to escape quick? Dimension Door!)