Okay, so. We have a new version of an old ability, specifically, anchoring.

I understand just fine how the Anchoring metamagic technique works, and it seems pretty balanced. What I'm having trouble understanding is the point of an anchoring focus. If the spell drops when the focus is deactivated, how is the karma expenditure of the focus ever warranted? I'd still need to cast and link in a new spell, so why bother with a focus?

Now, if you do NOT need to spend karma to recast the same spell into an anchoring focus after it gets deactivated, well, that might make a little more sense. Anyone have a clear idea of how this works?

if your using a foci you only pay karma for the bonding.

Yes, anchoring foci are for reusable uses. It costs six times the karma of using a one off anchoring, but it's worth it for repeat uses. Heal spells with prepaid drain and Armor/Barrier spells that aren't covert if you've got them on a sustainable focus seem the most obvious uses for shadowrunners.