I was reading through HOH:TL in preparation for the creation of a Tremere when the definitive hardcover arrives, and life boost being the example of being fully integrated into hermetic magic jumped out at me.
What would an order look like that had it fully integrated from the start?
Nowhere in the 05’ book, the errata or the definitive edition does there appear to be a limit on the number of fatigue levels that can be spent to boost the total. Obviously, if you are rolling 50+stress damage, your mage will die. On their way out, they will kill nearly any target of their final spell.
Fully integrating this possibility into Ars would not only add the Death Curse from the Dresden files into the system, but in my opinion would create interesting variation in the combat of the game.
Instead of younger maga being nearly incapable of dealing with older maga in combat due to lack of penetration, the less skilled mage could risk their health by burning through stamina and health in an effort to take their enemy off guard.
Personally, I think this is an idea with some potential issues in balancing, but one I would enjoy to hear others opinions on!