[Humabout]

Originally Posted by nick_coffin

Which is correct?

PK can obviously give a better answer than me, but that quote specifically applies to adding enhancements to damage, not Altered Traits, which states:

Any spell that adds or worsens disadvantages, reduces or removes advantages, or lowers attributes or characteristics adds +1 energy for every 5 character points removed. One that adds or improves advantages, reduces or removes disadvantages, or increases attributes or characteristics adds +1 energy for every 1 character point added.

Here, you just sort out the cost of the trait you are adding, and if it is positive, it costs 1 energy per CP, if it's negative, it costs 1 energy per -5 CP, minimum 1.