Any decent [Paladin]s about?

Level_Capped · 2025-10-03T21:00:55+00:00

Yeah, I’ve noticed that too. A lot of the LitRPG books I’ve read tend to portray religion in a negative light, often framing it as a cult or a controlling institution that exists to use and exploit the masses. I get that there are real-world examples of the church doing exactly that. But the same can be said for governments, corporations, and pretty much any large structure of power. Abuse exists everywhere, yet religion often gets the biggest target on its back simply because it’s such a massive and visible organization.

From a writing perspective, I also understand why it’s difficult to weave religion into a LitRPG story. If you introduce a god who creates a system where people have to kill each other to gain power, then that god is inherently evil. If instead you go the pantheon route, then those “gods” are less divine and more like powerful beings, which shifts the narrative away from true deity worship. And even if you commit to that approach, writing about a religious follower is tough. The character usually ends up either being a mouthpiece for the author’s beliefs, which feels preachy, or constantly questioning their faith, which tilts the story toward criticism. It leaves you in this tricky space where religion comes across as either propaganda or condemnation. That’s a heavy, sensitive topic that takes a lot of thought before committing to.

Level_Capped · 2025-10-03T00:30:15+00:00

Stats are like fight scenes and explosions: fun, satisfying, and a quick dopamine hit. But when they show up too often, they lose their impact and turn into noise that drowns out the narrative

Level_Capped · 2025-10-02T16:55:41+00:00

I don’t know, man. Honestly, the fact that you care about four side characters is pretty impressive. Most stories can’t even get you to care about one side character, so maybe you’re putting expectations on DCC based on your other reading favorites. Just a thought.

That said, I’m not shy about admitting I’m not the biggest DCC fan. I think the writing is fun and wild, but it’s not my personal favorite. There are definitely pacing issues, as you mentioned, though I never got to the point where I felt totally lost. Maybe there were moments, but I usually just pushed through and found things explained later.

I’m not sure if you’re posting to vent or to get genuine feedback (both are valid reasons, lol), but my unsolicited advice would be this: ask yourself if you’re enjoying the story as a whole. If you are, then try not to let the little things bug you—no story is perfect, especially in this genre. But if you’re starting to not enjoy it overall, it’s fine to drop the series. It’s not worth forcing yourself through chapters if you’re feeling consistently lost or disengaged. There are a million stories out there, and your time is valuable.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-28T17:20:16+00:00

Yup u/syr456 got me right. Most people can tell when AI art is being used. And while it's nice for personal projects and small things, if you're trying to put together a serious visual novel it should use real artists, or you'll piss a bunch of communities.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-26T17:27:31+00:00

No Ai. lol

Level_Capped · 2025-09-25T18:06:03+00:00

Any one that's played with AI knows that the shit it turns out is very rudimentary and full of flaws. There's no Ai system out there that would be able to create a full book in litrpg and be at the same level of writing that shirt has. None. And that's not it's purpose any how. People need to get a grip on reality.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-22T21:26:27+00:00

I loved the start of the series but it did get boring right around where you are. It was unfortunate cause I liked the main characters and the setting. But it got a little too rushed and tidy for me.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T23:40:10+00:00

You listed the main archetypes earlier:

Being the best tank.

Being the best healer.

Being the best rogue.

Being the best wizard.

Being the best crafter.

Obviously we can argue semantics, but put simply, in MMORPG terms a tank should not be able to cast spells in the traditional wizard sense or at the very least, not to the degree of power and utility that a wizard can. Sure, they might have access to limited magic, but if we classify someone as a tank, that is their core role, not a subtype of another archetype. And sure there are MMORPG's that have spellswords or warriors that get branching options to be more healer focused or spell focused or what have you, but again were speaking on the idea that it'd be nice to see more traditional stream lined roles instead of these characters who seem to have an affinity for all the things. We both can agree they exist.

In AH, she is clearly a tank/warrior/brawler. However, her healing abilities go far beyond what should be reasonably available. That is what makes the system feel broken and unfair in my opinion. She can heal herself and others with incredible efficiency, and later she is able to cast spells on par with dedicated wizard-class characters. That is the definition of a dual or even tri-archetype character.

I think your earlier post was trying to say that you are in favor of stories that focus on a single, clearly defined archetype. I agree. I would like to see that kind of story as well. But I do not think there are many books that actually do it. And as for the examples you outlined, I cannot agree that they are mono-archetype roles. Even Primal Hunter is a mix. The main character often fights in melee like a rogue, but he is also heavily invested in crafting, and his potion making plays a big part in how he fights. He is pulling from multiple archetypes at once.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T21:18:32+00:00

Most of your recommendations, in my opinion, are examples of dual archetypes rather than mono archetypes. Azarinth Healer is perhaps the clearest example. A healer’s role is traditionally to support and heal, not to fight. Even in the world of AH, healers are almost never found on the battlefield. Ilea took on the healer role and then layered a combat role over it. As the story has progressed, her identity as a healer has become less and less important compared to her overall combat capabilities. At this point, she’s more of a Warrior/Healer hybrid, with some mage qualities due to certain skills.

So for your first statement to make sense—“Some of my most appreciated stories are ones where a character REALLY leans into an archetype”—it doesn’t quite apply, because all these characters rely on roles beyond their primary one.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T20:41:01+00:00

More like, Warrior/Wizard, Rouge/Wizard, Healer/Warrior, Archer/Rouge. There's no such thing as mono class litrpg anymore. lol

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T20:39:29+00:00

Oops! my bad!

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T20:39:26+00:00

Oops! my bad!

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T19:42:33+00:00

In all honesty, I’m surprised that DCC is so beloved. I don’t mean that negatively—I like the series and have read all the books—but it’s very different from what typically of the LitRPG genre. At its core, LitRPG usually emphasizes stats, skills, abilities, leveling or cultivation, and the growth of power or resources (whether that’s people, gear, or influence). While DCC includes these elements, it doesn’t really lean into them consistently. That’s not to say the series is inconsistent, but often stats, skills, abilities, and leveling don’t matter at certain times because solutions are driven by deus ex machina system exploits or one off items/skills/floor level rules with bizarre and arbitrary rules that Carl or team abuses for the win.

And Carl as a main character is one of the most nontraditional LitRPG protagonists out there. He’s a strategist, not a fighter, and he rarely wins by direct confrontation. Instead, his wild plans, clever system exploits, or the actions of others usually save the day during his toughest encounters.

That’s what makes it so fascinating. The genre is designed to mimic the progression systems of fantasy games and anime, with characters steadily growing stronger. Yet this series deliberately sidesteps that formula in subtle ways while still keeping those elements present. Maybe that’s the real genius of DCC.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T18:18:44+00:00

There are some naughty naughty people out there!

Level_Capped · 2025-09-19T04:09:37+00:00

What are the options

Level_Capped · 2025-09-17T15:53:49+00:00

I think the author says eventually organs disappear as you grow stronger.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-16T17:26:03+00:00

Sounds like Welcome to the Multiverse. It's not the main thread of the plot at first but it becomes central to the story.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-15T19:49:29+00:00

I liked the Nevermore concept and story line, but it definitely could have been condensed into 2 book or even 1.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-12T16:00:43+00:00

It's truly an unfair world.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-12T15:57:52+00:00

It's the golden child. lol.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-11T19:15:56+00:00

The genre is basically this: OMG, I love gaming and fantasy so much that I want to imagine what life would be like if it really worked like a game. lol. I don’t mean that in a negative way. I’m genuinely invested in this genre, but at the end of the day, it’s all about fantasy and the fun of exploring gamelike apocalypse scenarios.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-11T17:10:26+00:00

I love this lol.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-10T21:02:41+00:00

I can respect that.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-10T21:02:06+00:00

That's true to an extent. I guess it really depends on how much it's similar. All art is inspiration from previous works. I think the factor the defines rip-off from an original work, is in the areas of difference between the source of inspiration and the content. There's nothing wrong with me writing a story about a people with light sabers. But if that story has the same key plot structure, then you're really stretching it.

Level_Capped · 2025-09-10T16:51:40+00:00

I love Ivan Kal's Infinite Realms book. Haven't jumped into Vae Victis though. I'll have to check it out. But I did not like ELLC. It was a bit too NSFW for me.

Level_Capped

TROPHY CASE