They should be stronger. Enough said.
If you’re going to pay ~200g (or sit threw that longggg item farm grind) to get 400-500 crafting and another 200g+ (and farming those other materials to make the vision crystal) to make the ascended weapon, it should actually give a moderate boost in stats since the skins are, well… kinda mediocre…
I’d propose an additional +50 more damage and at least maybe a larger stat bonus compared to exotics.
I know that they follow the 175% value of white items, but come on…
Comparing a knights exotic/ascended pistol
876-1029/920-1080
90/94 toughness
64/67 power
64/67 precision
The ascended pistol should be atleast:
970-1130
100 main stat
70 secondary stat
at least +1% higher critical damage than an exotic (if applies)