Don't you think its weird to want to most competent to be the most strongest? Anaiya, I think, says that strength of will goes with strength in the Power, which is a bonkers statement.
Why shouldn't Mesaana be stronger in the Power but less capable and devious than Graendal?
The Forsaken almost never think about differences in their OP strength. That's because at their range, no one has enough of an advantage to think a fight a foregone conclusion. Instead they consider the deviousness, the plotting ability, etc.
It seems to me very current age Aes Sedai like to say "Mesaana should have been weaker IMO ... Level 2 just doesn't match up all that well to the books to me." You can be strong and inept! On the other hand, you can be as weak as Sorilea, or weaker, and be amazingly competent.
I know you're not saying otherwise. You're wishing otherwise. But that just seems weird to me.
More later.