I think I recall someone mentioning that if a shifter (I think the example used was the Alphas) went through a threshold, they would retain their physical powers from their wolf form, they would lose the ability to switch into the wolf form, if they weren't already in it. Which means that inherent physical enhancements might not be affected by the threshold.

I do not know why you need to pay for this to satisfy the cold iron catch anyway.  You are wielding a sword...  Steel and Iron pointy things satisfy the catch nicely on their own.

What I'm getting from the weapon synopses is that normal swords are made of steel/iron, and these are specially made out of other materials, since bringing iron to a Fae battle is like wielding a plutonium rod: Both friend and foe of Fae nature are going to put a LOT of space between you and them. Don't want to alienate your Fae allies? Use a sword that satisfies the Enemy's catch, but not your Friends'.

Has anyone worked up something that is useful against players who have become a little too complacent with their wards? Some kind of Thaumaphage that likes to munch on strong, long-standing effects, perhaps. How would their “Magic Eater” power work? As a Counterspell? As an attack? Could it cause Ward Traps to spring unpredictably?

And would using something like this in a story be seen as unfair to a player who expects/wants their warded home to be inviolate?

Perhaps the PC's find the Items in a large crater, each one semi-buried in a pile of ash?

I would say the Penance Stare is a combination of an Incite (Emotion) attack and Psychometry. Perhaps with a starting cost of -2

This all looks really cool & interesting. Perhaps some sort of custom Charge power for the Earth element would be appropriate. A Rolling stone gathers no moss and all...

I'll keep reading this thread as long as noone suggests them all combining their powers to summon something.

Aka what contacts is for you know the right people to make your purchases untraceable and have the local head of police on the payroll.

Unless the local head of police is Incorruptible... Has the character been created/the Declaration roll been made?
Also, just because the purchases aren't tracable under normal circumstances doesn't mean the seller won't sing like a canary if the ATF arrests THEM and demands their buyer list. That can lead to future roleplay, and complications (PC Awareness roll notices someone trailing them, prepares for a fight with the BBEG, winds up assaulting an ATF investigator, etc...).
No-one is perfect, no matter how high their Resources stat is. They can't control everything, and its things outside of theiir control that lead to interesting Roleplay possibilities.

That Pack Instincts refit is really comprehensive. I can actually see a RP group choosing to play a pack of Weres now...