[hcobb]

If each point of IQ doesn't add a SP then NPC construction needs to determine which talents and spells the NPC had at each point in time in order to determine the XPs spent, and hence the innate difficulty of the encounter. If you do get the bonus SPs then you can just calculate the cost from the final result.

This also applies to PCs with a specific goal in mind. With the bonus SPs all routes to the destination have the same cost and so the player can operate tactically. If the link doesn't exist then players need to plan out the entire route.