The problem I see with how it's presented though is if I am playing a single element like stone/stone melee or earth/earth control and I want to maintain that single element flow of my powers, I would have to dip into other elements to get to Crag Shield. Or if I'm playing fire/fire, then I have one power in this pool and then nothing else that fits. I get that it's meant to be a multi element pool. That's what I'm criticizing.
Why limit it to elements? Why not a multi spectrum energy pool that lets your toon develop true mastery over all manner of energy with energy, dark, kinetic, radiation, and whatever shoots out of the beam rifle? Just wanting something does not justify it as was evidenced in that train wreck of a magic set discussion the other day.