Hang on a moment.
Unupped:
4
+ 1
+ 1 turn + 2 cards (DUO) = 4 pillars destroyed (in same stack).
3
+ 1 card (MONO) = 3 pillars destroyed (in same stack).
Partially upped:
4
+ 1
+ 1 turn + 2 cards (DUO) = 7 pillars destroyed (in same stack).
4
+ 2 cards (MONO) = 6 pillars destroyed (in same or separate stacks).
Upped:
5
+ 1
+ 1 turn + 2 cards (DUO) = 8 pillars destroyed (in same stack).
4
+ 2 cards (MONO) = 6 pillars destroyed (in same or separate stacks).
I'm afraid I simply don't see the problem. In that 1 turn the opponent can kill/freeze/delay/lobotomize/etc. the creature, and generate a turn's worth of quanta, whereas Earthquake is instant. I think Earthquake easily overshadows this.
Though looking at the above figures, I think the upped version may be a bit weak. -1 cost decrease?