"Soul Whip (Modal) - At close range, the cipher's weapons generate fields of parasitic energy that lash out at a target's soul. The Soul Whip mode reduces the amount of damage caused, but each successful hit briefly lowers the target's Psyche defense and generates Focus for the cipher (attacks Psyche)."
Just a suggestion, but maybe the reason this works is that the cipher is channeling his own soul into his weapon. Stabing the opponent (and their soul) with his own soul could be the reason that energy is stolen. Just an idea.
"Soul Shock - The cipher causes an ally's soul to "crack" and violently release energy into the physical world. The resulting explosion of electrical (Shock) energy damages everyone nearby except the target (attacks Reflexes)."
The description for this one causes me some problems... the idea that you make an ally's soul "crack" without harming them seems really odd.
Maybe this is explained elsewhere in the lore, but I would expect a "cracked" soul to be a really bad thing.
Maybe this should be used on enemies instead? or maybe the ally should be harmed? (high risk, high reward type thing), or maybe just avoid words with as damaging conotations as "crack"? Just my thoughts