So, I was flipping through my books yesterday and working out a shapeshifter character. As usual for shapeshifters, the horrible stats hurt... and then I noticed Spirit Strength, a drug from Man and Machine. Holy crap. It adds +Essence to all physical stats, +1/2 Essence in initiative dice and as a bonus to reaction tests for surprise, and lasts 1d6+ Essence hours (after which you're wiped out for a long time). It also multiplies your speed by your essence and gives you other powers. It's by no means easy to get, but is at least represented as possible to get if you're a character built for it (for example, from the appropriate tribe with the appropriate knowledge skills). Am I missing something, or is this just REALLY good for shapeshifters (who have essence 8 )?

JaronK