I would define effectiveness as capacity to succeed rather than raw ability/skill/power. He failed quite frequently early in his career (unsurprising since he was trail blazing). He was immesnsely powerful, but attempting very tricky things.
>>I think his
>>success is largely attributable to the massive extraordinary support levels
>>from his followers.
>
> That thesis doesn't really hold up given Arkats habit of
>alienating the bulk of his followers at regular intervals.
> Arkat kicked arse.
Yes, though his old followers were alienated every time he got large numbers of fanatical new ones.
All speculation on my part ...
The rules (!) point is that there is no particular need to assume Arkat avoided Otherworld penalties and other costs of switching magic systems (so he isn't a very good example of "but Arkat did it, so the rules must be wrong"). The only definite ability that is noted is his capacity to avoid spirits of reprisal (and I think we already know that certain kinds of illumination can deliver that).
Thom
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