Ironically the only way to mine Vertcoin directly and profitably now is with a Scrypt-N ASIC. One supplier is quoting 2.5MH/s for 18W (yes W not kW). This wouldn't be the first time doggedly sticking to ideology was the instrument of downfall. The coin needs more fundamental rethought than the devs are prepared to offer.
I was looking at the price chart and thinking the same thing. Right now, you need ASICs to mine because the power cost is too high.