Similar to other FMs and players here, my group has encountered some issues which I've figured out some fixes for. But there is one issue I'm still mulling over.
To start, the issues which I've found "fixes" for (there are definitely limitations, but they generally fit with theme)
Darlin Theories being unappealing due to breaking focus: Since this theory is sold as a crafting theory, the easiest fix to nuke TNs down is to take the Increase AP immuto. Since I rarely see people animating constructs or limbs in the middle of combat, there really isn't much of a problem with those spells taking 3, 4, or 5 AP. Though this doesn't fix the issue of whether or not the focus' cost is the book listing for cost, or the 25% cost of construction.
Soulstones mostly being useful to non-magic users using Critical Strike: Utilize the Extra Suit immuto. This is a nice way to drop a spell's TN by 2, and it can definitely be (ab)used for more than just making soulstones useful. For example: Dabbler 1, Graverobber 1, Specialized Skill (Sorcery, Tomes), and soulstone could have a spell with the suits of TCTT. This example doesn't even have to cheat to guarantee the casting, so really if your player has a high card in their hand they could apply Extra Suit one more time. This gets you a total of -8 to TN, which allows for some powerful augmenting immutos (like four applications of Fire to get Burning +4.)
The other issue with soulstones is cost, but everything in the book is supposedly as a Guild marked up value, so why not assume the same of soulstones? I imagine the listed value is how much they sell for across the Breach, but in Malifaux (especially in soulstone rich mines) I expect they are much easier/cheaper to come by as long as you don't buy them from an official Guild storefront. Now, going with the standard 25% value still doesn't quite make the full stones as efficient as dust (assuming dust doesn't get dropped in cost), so there is still more adjustment needed (but as a Fatemaster you can technically set the prices at whatever you feel like, so...)
But now the issue that I'm still having. Outside of house-ruling the limitation I can't think of a way to keep a grimoire themed in its actual application. For example, if I want the players using the awarded grimoire to only be able to affect living targets, so I include the Living immuto, there is no reason for them to just not apply the immuto to something like Elemental Strike if they want to smack a construct. As stated, we can always just house-rule the thing, but I am finding it rather awkward from a RAW perspective.
Any responses to my proposed FM fixes as well as ideas for my continued problem would all be appreciated.
