Ok. Let me clear it up. I want to compare what the actual powersets of each character are capable of doing. I used these 3 characters as basically a reference. So far we have molecular manipulation, the power cosmic, and high end magic. So based off what Janus posted on the first page. The power cosmic seems to be vastly more versatile than matter manipulation if it is capable of doing matter manipulation plus all the extra stuff.
Being more versatile is one aspect of being more "powerful". That is why we (Im a retired Infantry Marine). as Marines are more effective on a squad and platoon level than yourbaverage army infantry man (excluding Rangers ). We are trained to be more versatile and be able to more things in a variety of environments and be able to adapt.
Anyway my personal oppinion is that high end magic should be able to do the most things as it is deus ex machina power. Butblets compare just surfer and sentry real quick. What actual feats does sentry have that surfer could replicate and vice versa.