I think you underestimate the value of Warlock Gear. Take voidfang for instance. Sure, the axion bolt upgrade doesn't SOUND like much, but it changes axion into hands down the best voidwalker grenade, and combined with our strong abilities (blow up enemies killed with abilities is one of my favorites for the chain reaction) and your one grenade is stronger than those two the Titan has. And I don't know if you have played with Light Beyond Nemesis, but revives with it are almost instantaneous, makes the lock the best medic by far between it's maneuverability and fast recovery. IMO exotics essentially boil down to class extension items that let you focus your playstyle the way you like it. You can't really divorce them from the strength of class abilities because they are so intertwined. With my right gear on, my Lock is a level 30, and he stomps face... but it's a lot of fun and changes how I play when I'm in my exotic chest (just don't have that raid helmet...)