I don't see it this way.
Right from the start the set encourages you to group enemies tightly which means being up close when solo. At 26, when you get Poison Trap, you start being encouraged to run into melee to toe bomb hold groups. So a few levels later adding VG shouldn't be that much of a departure.
In addition, if you do team a lot, you are already encouraged to group up for buffs and heals. Many ranged players stand too far back most of the time. Sure, avoiding aoes is important, but being buffed is important too.