Anyone can soft cap, just like anyone can hide behind ATOs, Incarnate powers, rows of Purples and Winter's sets, etc. And it's boring after awhile! Do what you want, and maybe even go to extremes and try to create say a workable semi-petless MM or a Dom who's sole purpose is upping the damage percentages (I have, they were both fun). I don't feel the need to measure my "Big Big Stick" against speed-runs or masters of or whatever else the "number go up" fans are into, and you don't have to either.
Remember this min/maxxing mindset rules the forums, but not so much in-game, and doesn't have to if you don't want it to. Play what you want, how you want. I generally have a build ready for my new toon, and just follow that without too much more tinkering (unless it's unplayable (when I might just drop it instead anyways). I often start from other people's builds and then yank out parts I don't want such a Fighting, or to make room say for most of the Experimentation set because it seems to fit this toon or whatever.