Words of Power: Boosting target words.

[GM Arkwright]

For Target words like Burst and Cone, you have the option of using the Boost meta word to increase the size. For example-

Burst
Boost: The spell affects everything in a 20-foot-radius burst. Its range increases to medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level). Boosting this target word increases its level by 2.

Cone
Boost: The range increases to 20 feet. Boosting this target word increases its level by 2.

My issue is- the 'cost' for using the Meta word is that the level of the target word is increased. But... if the wordspell level is based on the level of the EFFECT word, does having a level-increased Target word actually change anything about the wordspell?

Or does a higher-level Target word mean you cannot use it until you can cast wordspells of that level?

[GM Arkwright]

I suppose my question is just what effect does an X-level target word have on the wordspell? Barrier is a level 3 target word, but if the level of the wordspell is based on the effect word alone... what is the impact?

[ShadowcatX]

You can't have a target word higher level than your spell slot. And you are using a limited resource.

[GM Arkwright]

And that explains it nicely. Thank you.