Myself, I wouldn't worry about the pattern too much.
The higher antenna will still beat the lower one in most
cases despite the extra lobes at higher angles.
Of course, where you are talking will make a difference too.
But you do think a 1/2 wave at 4 waves up will lose to a
1/2 wave at a halfwave up to a ground/space wave contact 30 miles
away? "10 m as an example" Better think again...
The higher antenna will likely eat the lower one for lunch.
And we are talking pretty low angles involved.
Also, on the HF bands like 20m, a higher vertical will often "open
and close" the band earlier and later than the low antenna
when talking long haul dx. But not much difference on
medium or short paths. Yes, there are often higher angle
lobes involved on real high verticals, but if you think that
ruins them, you will be in for a surprise. If I were on 10m,
and had my pick of a 1/2 wave at 25 ft, or a 1/2 wave at
120 ft, I'd take the taller one any day of the week.
I wouldn't let knowledge of theory ruin a good thing. :/
MK