[@WilsonTurner] Remember as well, most Drakken are a fuck of a lot older than the Gems so even though they don't study one element or the other a whole lot at once, they've had a LOT more time to study and master them. Basically it's just about impossible for a Gem to overpower a Drakken elementally, I believe. I think they also have more power as a default.
I think that's whay the name of the game before was diplomacy when the Gem brides dealt with their husbands, since Gems (Cultist or otherwise) just don't compare on the battlefield.