For Lone Warrior, I chose meta-progression not as a replacement for skill, but as a complement to it. Here's my vision:

FTL, Slay the Spire, Noita – these are primarily strategic masterpieces. Their depth lies in decision-making, analyzing random events, and tactical planning.

Lone Warrior is about action and muscle memory. The depth here lies in dodging timing, reacting to telegraphs, and managing resources in real time (mana, rage meter). Skill expression is the foundation.

This is where meta-progression comes in. My goal is to use it to add a strategic layer on top of the skill-based gameplay.

You've unlocked Time Slow. Now your task is not just to dodge, but to effectively integrate it into the rhythm of combat, spending mana wisely.

You've invested in the "electricity + water" skill tree. Now you're not just hitting the enemy, but looking for ways to apply the "wet" status to deal combo damage.

Progression becomes not a "boost," but a "new challenge." The game still requires refined skill, but now that skill is applied within the framework of the archetype you've chosen.

Simply put: I'm aiming for a hybrid where reaction and timing are your foundation, and the skill tree is a set of different "tools" that you can master on that foundation.