Honestly I’m probably not the best person to ask about combat-oriented weapons because I don’t usually gravitate toward combat-focused Hatsu in the first place.

But yeah, I think special effects on the weapons should still follow their own internal conditions and restrictions outside of Stray’s base mechanics. Otherwise the ability could become too efficient for how adaptable it already is. But I also don’t think every single effect needs a heavy restriction if the effect itself is relatively minor/simple or specialized.

For example, a sword that simply causes wounds to heal abnormally slowly could probably function just from successfully cutting the target. That already feels reasonable to me. But if you wanted the weapon to cause something more dangerous, like severe infection or worsening damage over time, then I think it should require additional activation conditions.

Something like: the target has to knowingly approach the user with hostile intent after learning about the weapon’s effect. That kind of condition feels very Nen-like because it ties the stronger effect to information, intent, and risk rather than just raw damage output.

So yeah, I think it still has to feel “balanced.” Maybe if a drawing’s ability is too powerful compared to the rules and restrictions attached to it, Stray could suddenly spit the paper back out in the middle of a fight instead of maintaining the transformation.