Really almost anything in skilled hands can be made competitive. I just find it hard to compare a single grenades damage an versatility to combination of abilities. I think your argument is fair. Firebolt adheres to more casual players, but the better nightstalker can cause just as much angst to a player as a Firebolt grenade. Defenders melee is built around force barrier, which is why it lasts longer and why it has more HP. Lets not throw exotic builds into the mix here. Yes, no back up planes is a great setup with a shotgun, but that is another argument. The sunsingers melee is not built around the additional shield. It is built around the range and damage. Flame shield is only a bonus. This is what separates it from the defender. Without force barrier, Disintegrate is worthless, without flame shield, you still have the best melee in the game.