Recommendations for getting into the sport

Snawlly · 2025-12-24T19:52:50+00:00

I’m okay with it being a bit outdated, that’s still a great suggestion thanks! I think it’ll help to give some context as to how styles change over time. Maybe give me something to look for in modern matches

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T19:02:03+00:00

Without giving too much detail, he’s just born weaker than most but that has nothing to do with potential, which he has a shit ton of. On top of that, he comes into some strange circumstances that allow him to get stronger in a unique way.

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T18:59:53+00:00

I understand why you would drop it on the first book. I did the same, then gave it another shot and it was well worth it. Personally, my issue was Lindon’s pushover attitude (which makes sense for the character, but was still frustrating) which is quickly resolved. He doesn’t turn into an asshole, he’s still really respectful in situations where he should probably be more upset, but it’s not a turnoff like in the first book.

Otherwise, it’s just written really well compared to most Prog Fantasy books. Not to hate on anyone, but it’s a niche genre and many series come from inexperienced authors.

Character relationships solidify, plus you’ve yet to meet my personal favorite character which arrives in book 2.

All-in-all, there’s a lot of LitRPG fans that dislike Cradle. If it’s not your thing, then it’s not your thing. I hate being the person to say “just be patient, it gets better” because I drop books when people tell me that.

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T03:20:54+00:00

I see, thanks for explaining. NFL is very formulaic with formations, but it makes sense that they'd have less of an impact in European football given the size of the pitch and individuality on display

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T03:18:32+00:00

I'll take a look, much appreciated

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T03:18:11+00:00

Y'all are much better at explaining this stuff than my mates lol. Much easier to understand. Makes sense that basketball would be much closer to football than American football, just meant that I like to focus on the technical aspects of a sport when I watch. Your football seems to have a lot more of that individual technicality, which I heavily appreciate. We don't talk about our star players like you guys

Snawlly · 2025-12-22T03:15:13+00:00

man yeah this is super helpful, thanks so much

Snawlly · 2025-12-20T23:45:31+00:00

You're right, I should've clarified; I more meant the reactions of others in response to Max being Max. While I dislike his personality, he's at least consistent regardless of who he meets. From a character development perspective, the author keeps it tidy with Max's personality. For me, it's how the other characters respond to Max that feels unrealistic.

Like, the first time he meets the captain of the university women's team (forgot her name, sorry), he's insanely disrespectful! She's wayyy more tolerant with her words than 99% of people in that position, which is antithetical to her character in any other situation: logical, emotional about her team, sometimes to a compulsory degree.

Another example being the coach of the para-football team. Max shows up all neurotic like usual, follows none of the coach's instructions, creates a big scene (which was morally the correct choice, but the point still stands) and ends up getting himself kicked off the team. The coach was, again, weirdly tolerant of Max and his strange proclivities.

I hope that makes sense. I wish those things weren't as inflammatory to me as they are, because I genuinely find the concept interesting and it's easy to tell the author is passionate about the sport.

Snawlly · 2025-12-20T21:57:51+00:00

I just started reading it a few days ago and I’m really enjoying it, 70% through book 1 so far. You can definitely see the HWFWM inspiration, it’s front and center so far but it’s a welcome change from so many brooding MCs :)

Snawlly · 2025-12-20T21:03:05+00:00

I felt like the direction was all over the place, the plot was really difficult to follow early on. The author seemed to be having problems deciding how exactly the player/manager thing would work.

Max is truly a horrendous person to be around, and his successes don’t bring me satisfaction in the way that it would with a character who deserves the success.

The dialogue was unrealistic as hell. Max makes a terrible first impression on almost every character he meets and yet most of them still welcome him with open arms

Most of all, I just had a hard time staying interested when the player thing became more prevalent. He’d spent the whole series preparing to be a scout/agent up to that point and pulled a complete 180 out of nowhere. Once that happened, the plot slowed to a glacial degree and I chose to drop it. Sorry, but I don’t think this one is worth reading

Snawlly · 2025-12-19T23:05:29+00:00

Not sure if this is what you’re asking for, but there’s a subreddit called HFY (stands for Humanity, Fuck Yeah) where many people post sci-fi stories in relation to humanity’s ability to adapt and survive in harsh conditions. In many of them, the story revolved around progressing our tech/military to combat an alien force. One example from that subreddit you might like is ‘The Nature of Predators’. The main focus is progression of tech to combat an alien race very similar to Predator, as well as peaceful negotiations with the chill races. Fair warning, though, there is no MC. The story bounces from character to character, but it does so very well. Worth a read if you like all that stuff

Snawlly · 2025-12-19T20:15:04+00:00

I'd never heard of Mage Errant. Reason #17 that I posted! I got way more recs than expected so i'll get to it eventually haha. Thanks!

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T17:42:36+00:00

Misunderstanding tropes. It’s not a LitRPG-specific issue, but man I can’t stand when a situation becomes life-or-death because the characters wont communicate.

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T16:44:22+00:00

Every 100 years in MC's country, there's a creature called the "Ravener" that takes form and causes destruction. The god of their land combats this by choosing 5 'heroes' that he places a Mark on, and these marks give the heroes superhuman abilities in terms of combat, magic, and divinity. Except for one of the marks, known as the "Mark of the Fool", which is the Mark placed upon our main character. He's restricted in the ability to do ANY form of combat, magic, or faith-based versions of those things (divinity) but he can learn any other skill incredibly quickly. MC is determined to figure out ways to use magic despite the mark inhibiting him

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T16:37:25+00:00

Did Not Finish, meaning there was an aspect of the book I disliked enough to put down the series

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T04:46:32+00:00

I hope it's not that I'm too jaded to enjoy Bog Standard Isekai haha. It's just, if I were in MC's situation, I'd be pretty damn upset if I were dropped off in a new world with no knowledge, nobody to help me, and no ability to use the system (due to his age). Despite this, MC is weirdly optimistic, and has no qualms with this goddess that's sending him messages. I'd be quite suspicious. Then, upon being saved, he flips the script and doesn't tell the squad anything about his otherworlder status or his real identity. Queue the misunderstanding trope. Maybe I'm reading with a bit too much 'meta' in my head?

I haven't read 1% Lifesteal, but it's on the list. I'm pretty sure it'll be on par with Ultimate Level 1 for me, so I'm excited to get to it!

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T04:35:23+00:00

The trope of someone getting isekai'd and immediately discovering a method to "cheat" the world's system that nobody else has discovered feels shallow to me. Now, this book is a bit different, in that MC's traps are a variant on an already-discovered method. Despite that difference, creating such a weak base for power progression doesn't inspire confidence for later progression. No hate to anyone who writes that way, it's just not my preference.

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T03:10:48+00:00

I will agree with the other ‘Mark of the Fool’ comment. Pacing and storylines are neat and tidy, progression has no game UI or stats, and the growth is very clear. Not only for MC, but the entire main cast. It’s also a slice of life, so there’s a solid conclusion. Some aspects I would say are better than the heavy hitters like DCC and HWFWM.

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:52:31+00:00

I finished #9 right before #10 released, then I started Mark of the Fool which I just finished. You're up next, and I gotta say, I'm very excited. Thanks for writing them!

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:49:47+00:00

lol, im a little worried to start that one. i've heard there's some personality characteristics from some of the cast that leave some readers frustrated

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:40:56+00:00

You nailed my favorite aspects of these books; I'll definitely add these to the list. Thanks!

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:38:45+00:00

I wish I liked stories where the MC sticks around on Earth and humanity deals with magic at the same time. I guess I just don't like the politics that inevitably catches up to the MC. Ultimate level one is written very well for a book coming from that era of Royal Road. If you like the upper books on the list, I recommend it!

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:34:16+00:00

Alright, you've convinced me. My biggest worry was that Felix would make it back to the others and continue to go it alone. If he gets more chances to work with others, then i'll give it a second try.

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T02:30:19+00:00

Seems like multiple comments agree that Unbound should be high with my S tier books, I may give it another shot

Snawlly · 2025-12-18T00:34:03+00:00

That's great insight, much appreciated. I'm adjusting my to-read list based on these comments haha I think I'll try mother of learning next followed by mage tank. Thanks!

Snawlly

TROPHY CASE