Just had a minor thought, maybe the difference between upped/unuped could be that one costs 4 quanta and gives 3 and the other one costs 5 and gives 4? I cant see one case where it would be truly overpowered if it costs a quanta more than it gives but I think it would still be useful. For example your running a Rainbow which is very life, time and gravity (fairly random choices) but doesnt use much of the other elements? Just add a couple of flashes to balance and use unneeded quanta, but not too many because there is a price. Sorry if this sounds stupid or not thought through but it was just the first thing that came to mind after coming to the conclusion that the unupped seemed very balanced.