@@ -173,14 +173,18 @@
 		-- determine the power of a particular enchantment on
 		-- an enchanted item.
 		local e = sorcery.enchant.get(stack)
 		local p = 0.0
+		local ct = 0
 		local slots = sorcery.matreg.lookup[stack:get_name()].data.slots
 		-- TODO handle strength-boosting spells!
 		for _,s in pairs(e.spells) do
-			if s.id == id then p = p + ((s.boost * slots[s.slot].confluence)/10) end
+			if s.id == id then
+				p = p + ((s.boost * slots[s.slot].confluence)/10)
+				ct = ct + 1
+			end
 		end
-		return p
+		return p, ct
 	end
 	sorcery.enchant.stackup = function(stack)
 		-- stack update function. this should be called whenever
 		-- the enchantment status of a stack changes; it will
@@ -426,9 +430,9 @@
 		if done[sp.id] then goto skip end
 		done[sp.id] = true
 
 		local data = sorcery.data.enchants[sp.id]
-		local strength = sorcery.enchant.strength(tool,sp.id)
+		local strength, nsp = sorcery.enchant.strength(tool,sp.id)
 		local ch = math.random(1,100)
 		local props = {
 			fail = ch > sp.reliability;
 			user = puncher;
@@ -442,14 +446,15 @@
 			sparks = sparks;
 			cost = data.cost;
 		} 
 		if data.on_dig then data.on_dig(props) end
-		if props.cost ~= 0 then totalcost = totalcost + math.max(1,math.floor(props.cost * strength)) end
+		if props.cost ~= 0 then totalcost = totalcost + math.max(1,props.cost * nsp) --[[math.max(1,math.floor(props.cost * strength))]] end
+		-- strength does not increase cost but number of spell slots occupied does -- incentive for the player to be more clever, less brute-force-y
 
 		if ch > sp.reliability then goto skip end
 		sparks[#sparks + 1] = {
 			color = sorcery.lib.color(data.tone):brighten(1.1);
-			count = strength * 7;
+			count = strength * 8;
 		}
 	::skip::end end
 	if totalcost > 0 then
 		local conservation = math.floor(sorcery.enchant.strength(tool,'conserve') * 6)
@@ -486,9 +491,9 @@
 					z = range(-1.3,1.3);
 					y = range( 0.3,0.9);
 				};
 				expirationtime = life;
-				size = range(0.5,1.5);
+				size = range(0.2,1.5);
 				texture = sorcery.lib.image('sorcery_spark.png'):multiply(s.color):render();
 				glow = 14;
 				animation = {
 					type = "vertical_frames";