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While that is steep, it makes sense. Level 5 is supposed to represent basic mastery of a given skill, and Invocations, despite being metaphysics, are thematically very similar. However, you should note that you did not make levels in invocations very relevant, you just increased the minimum to 5, and only if you want a fancy greater invocation (which I have found few to be particularly interested in).

My preferred approach is to assess a "Virtual Essence Penalty." That is to say, for every 5 Essence being used in a given Invocation, the Focus roll is assessed a -1 penalty for determining success only. I have also done away with the Essence Mastery invocation as it just sidesteps the whole issue and allows everyone to go back to having only 1 level in every invocation they can get their grubby mitts on. Blessing is a viable alternative, though, and it isn't a one-trick pony.

The result will definitely see some anger amongst the players. But, there's other things you can do to help. One of my favorites are using rituals to stabilize the invocation (that is, a ritual's SL doesn't add essence, it actually reduces VEP), the other is that symbols are naturally stable (their essence doesn't affect VEP). And, it should be noted that the VEP does NOT affect anything beyond simply whether or not the Focus roll succeeds: enemies resist the Focus roll without the VEP applied, etc.