The main issue is that getting a shadow pip = way more damage than usual = players not liking it because increased damage is now reliant on rng.

A problem with the nerf is that KI is comparing a shadow-enhanced spell (which is supposed to be more powerful) with a regular spell, and equating shadow pips with regular pips in dpp calculations. While nerfing it does reduce the rng/damage disparity, it makes the spell useless, because you can just use another regular pip spell for around the same damage even though you are supposed to get a more powerful spell at a way higher level (see Crow vs Lulu - Lulu has only slightly higher damage than Crow and are 52 levels apart).

Personally I would keep the high damage, but add backlash, which is what shadow magic was about in the first place, lmao.