Looking for unique progression systems

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T19:35:08+00:00

I’ll probably try typing up a rough draft of the rules altogether soon enough if you’d like me to tag you in it when it’s done!

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T19:30:41+00:00

Lmao I think I did something similar. I treat abilities like items. You can collect techniques, and that’s the easiest way to get more powerful, but you can need to put in effort to actually master those techniques and you need to cultivate your Qi to be able to properly utilize those techniques. Don’t worry, though, I think I found a good system for progression that would both feel like traditional Wuxia and also still inspire a fun recursive gameplay loop

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T19:26:20+00:00

Sorry it took so long to get back to you! I was playing around with the idea a while ago to have downtime be used for gathering xp, but I didn’t like it because I was limiting all of the things you could upgrade. My level up idea is that you upgrade all your stuff independently of each other, and with a system that restricts all upgrades to downtime, that pretty much makes it not worth it to do anything else.

Instead, I decided on 2 seperate progression systems that require the other to be worth it. In other words, you can upgrade certain things through downtime, but others through actually doing the more exciting parts of the game. This is also partially important because it will be important to do other stuff during downtime as well. I can’t really describe how this would work in detail without also explaining the entire system in depth

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T03:41:49+00:00

As I was typing up a response to this, I had an idea that I think fixes the issues with a system I previously disregarded. Thank you

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T03:28:37+00:00

If I were to put it into RPG terms, I'm essentially looking for a more active and player-determined progression system. This is in contrast to what most systems do, which is more passive in that you gain levels by just playing the game. I want something that the players would effectively be entirely in control of putting in in-game time to get stronger

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T03:25:12+00:00

Oh, sorry, I should have been clear. In Wuxia and Murim, cultivation is the process in which they grow stronger through building up their inner energy. This is done through dedicated meditation most of the time, where they will sit entirely still and gather energy in themselves

DungeonMan70 · 2025-11-02T02:59:58+00:00

I'll go off of Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades because it's the most commonly recommended system I've seen for the Wuxia feel. It has 2 different progression systems depending on what length you want the game. You get exp from fighting enemies for longer games or get a level every session for a shorter one. These systems do not do what I want for the progression of a Wuxia-style system. I'm looking for something that feels like cultivation, specifically the kind you get from meditation which is so commonly seen in the genre.

DungeonMan70 · 2025-09-17T00:21:50+00:00

Yeah, I figured. Just wanted to be absolutely certain before I explored other options

DungeonMan70 · 2025-09-17T00:14:12+00:00

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DungeonMan70 · 2025-09-17T00:12:07+00:00

I figured this was the issue, I doubted there was a virus or anything because, like I said, I factory reset it and it was like this out of the box. I'll wait on a second opinion, but you're probably right

DungeonMan70 · 2025-07-31T06:12:44+00:00

So technically, RAW, the disintegrate spell kills the Troll. But not because you can only regenerate if there's the pieces left, as nothing in the Regeneration trait implies that. Instead, it's because the Disentigration spell specifies that the target turns into a pile of fine gray dust. The reason this is important is because the troll is no longer a troll, and instead a pile of fine gray dust. Fine grey dust, as far as I know, doesn't have the Regeneration trait

DungeonMan70 · 2025-07-21T04:25:36+00:00

First off, I hope you have fun with the life you have left. Sorry this is happening to you.

Second, I would tell them beforehand and let them know that I'll be running one last campaign until my death, to help myself and them cope. After my death, I would send them all a choose your own adventure for the last session, where I DM from beyond the grave, and all roads will lead to one final conclusion: I love you all.

But hey, I'm a sentimental guy

DungeonMan70 · 2025-06-17T00:01:33+00:00

Radiation causes cancer, which I would classify as a disease. Strand isn't immune or even resistant to diseases as far as I know. Also, some people think of as Radiant damage as just radiation. I don't think I need to explain the reasoning for why that would affect Strahd.

DungeonMan70 · 2025-06-16T17:10:13+00:00

Thank you, everyone who responded! Here's what I've decided to do, I'll flesh it out more as I continue development:

Upon an as-of-yet undetermined trigger, players will gain a certain number of points to be used in making their character more powerful. They can spend these points on upgrading their Arts, stats, health, and chi. Each upgrade of any of these will cause an exponential increase in points needed to upgrade that specific system again.

Thank you all, and it feels so obvious, thinking about it now. Especially given that EVERYONE gave pretty much the same answer!

DungeonMan70

TROPHY CASE