[@Fallenreaper] While that's true, the difference between a mage and someone with a Glock 17c is that the mage probably has to wait on preps/cooldowns between their spells, but the person with the Glock can fire their gun for seventeen posts in a row if they only fire one round per post. No cooldown, no wait, no preps. 

That's what I mean by no drawbacks. My character can't punch you in the face with lightning for seventeen posts in a row, but someone with a pistol and an extended mag can spend every post slinging lead if they want, and the pistol's like to do way more damage at a much greater distance. That's where the disparity comes in (for mild powers).

That's also why I like magitech/future-tech weapons for mild powers. You can have a laser gun that is reasonably balanced, or a spell-gun ala Outlaw Star. You still get the same aesthetic, but none of the issues.