Min-Max'ing and downsides seems like an odd argument to bring into this.
Some folks, like myself, spend a good deal of time on creating the looks of our characters and can't stand looking like a walking ice-cube. Other, like myself, get headaches from some of the FX chosen by others or that there is no minimal FX option.
My most obnoxious character, a Bubbler named Rainbow Sherbet puts out giant, obnoxiously fluorescent, pink/green/orange soap bubbles and I can only tolerate to play her for an hour at most. For everything else I create where effects are applied to others (as well as my own character), I tend to be a minimalist.
Back during Legacy, before they gave us water-based powers, I used fire for my water/time themed character. Coloured properly fire actually made a pretty good substitute. So powerset themes be damned, because any of us may have our own take on it.