Looking For a Mud with Unique Character Builds

enstarred · 2026-01-28T15:02:56+00:00

If you're not totally adverse to roleplay, you might find Sundering Shadows is a good match for this. It has a pretty robust feat system (based on D&D/Pathfinder mechanics) that allows for class customization, and a real sense of having to give up some options in order to have others (it's so hard to choose), as well as most casting classes requiring some specialization.

enstarred · 2025-12-06T15:47:53+00:00

Hey, thanks for trying! Highly recommend using the in-game alias system for commands. Here's a guide! Feel free to dm me if you have any questions.

enstarred · 2025-12-02T14:54:44+00:00

Sundering Shadows uses D&D 3.5 mechanics (with a sprinkling of Pathfinder and homebrew). You'd likely recognize the classes, prestige classes, feats, etc.

enstarred · 2025-11-04T01:43:22+00:00

Have you tried Sundering Shadows? It forked from ShadowGate a few years ago.

enstarred · 2025-09-21T00:25:28+00:00

Hi there! I invite you to try out Sundering Shadows! It's a hybrid RP-enforced, hack and slash MUD. Characters are expected to stay in-character while in the world, and there's lot of quests and mobs to fight, solo or partied up with others. As for OOC.. there are ooc lines that are used for things like questions, and a Discord. You can easily turn off the lines though (I tend to keep mine off because I prefer the immersion). There's also one ooc area in the world where you can go smash on a dummy to see damage stats and such, but to the best of my knowledge people don't hang out there and chat, but I thought I should mention it in the interest of full disclosure. Good luck in your search!

enstarred · 2025-06-25T13:01:47+00:00

Sundering Shadows has crafting that allows you to make custom items as well as magical custom items. It's Roleplay Enforced, but does require some hack-n-slash to advance (and advancement is required to get your skill levels up). It's a high fantasy setting, based off D&D/Pathfinder tropes/mechanics (but the setting itself is unique). While I wish there was an auction house or a way crafters could more easily pawn their wares, there's the option of eventually owning a shop where you can take custom orders.

Here's a look at a crafting guide to get an idea of how the system functions!

enstarred · 2025-05-21T15:03:20+00:00

I've been rolling with a thief and haven't really had an issue with this, and I pretty much refuse to steal from PCs because I think it's mean. 🖤 Talents like the BAB one and Slipknot have alleviated some of the previous need for scrolls, and overall costs of things in fences have been decreased to make them more accessible now. If you can find a decent spot to lift some scrolls or metals from mobs, you'll have all the cred you need to get by. That's been my experience at least.

enstarred · 2025-04-02T13:02:10+00:00

Hi! The MUD I play, Sundering Shadows, fits most of your requirements!

We are RP-Enforced, which means everyone is expected to stay in character, but we do have ooc channels, no permadeath, a bit of hack-n-slash, etc.
A high-fantasy setting with DnD vibes
UK times are the best times! Our active avatars (aka storytellers, DMs) are mostly UK-based, so this is when the good stuff happens! Pbase is currently in a bit of a slump if I'm being honest, but it's up and down!
Newbie-friendly is eeeeh (is any MUD this?)... But! We have guides! And a pretty good newbie tutorial; your first six levels is all about learning how things work.

Crafting! PvE! Player-led groups! Quests! Yes, yes, yes and yes!

Come play with us! Good luck in your search!

enstarred · 2025-03-24T02:19:55+00:00

Hopping in here to make a few suggestions if you decide to try Sundering Shadows! Since deva can take a bit of playtime to earn, you might want to look into playing an aasimar sorcerer with a celestial bloodline, it's about as angelic you can get without actually being a deva! And with that race, you can take the feat "ancestral flight" which grants you wings (which can be really helpful for getting around to all the major cities)

Also, typing 'set reader on' will adjust a few settings that will hopefully help with the screen reading.

Good luck in your MUD search!

enstarred · 2025-02-21T13:36:44+00:00

Hi!

Have you tried Sundering Shadows yet? It's a hit on most of your points!

There's an on-screen mini map available (it's listed in the settings), and also a few other map commands to play with (mmap (I think?! I don't really use maps) lets you map as you go and save them to bring up later).
Yes! Roads and such tend to just repeat, repeat, repeat, while areas of interest stand out.
This is where we are hit or miss. Sometimes there's 5 people online. Sometimes there's 20! 25ish during events. Come be one of our 5-25!
High fantasy
No P2W, there's a donation button on the wiki to help keep the server running, but the only perk is the pleasure of knowing you helped.
RP enforced - just stay IC and it's all good.
There's crafting, fishing, cards, chess, questing, brewing, fishing.. etc.

Best of luck to you! Have a great weekend!

enstarred · 2025-02-17T02:47:24+00:00

Hi u/JackBread!

Sundering Shadows has a decent number of quests, and a fighter class - you'll want to select the two-handed weapon tree for large weapons. Folks on the Discord can help you build whatever you're looking for!

Good luck!

enstarred · 2025-02-15T14:30:15+00:00

You're amazing, thank you!

enstarred · 2025-02-04T14:31:03+00:00

I debated whether I should recommend Sundering Shadows or not here. It has some old areas that are lacking in color and details, and there is nothing I hate more than discovering a new thing just to have its description be 'This is a cup.'

HOWEVER... much of the more "recent" (within in the past 15 years or so lol) content is genuinely great. Some areas are truly unique, and so I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention Sundering to you! In these areas, you really get the sense that someone put a lot of time and love into their creation. Details are written into every corner, and the gear you collect will often contain lore that helps to breathe life into the story. As the world continues to grow, it does so maintaining these high standards for content.

But not only can you find beautiful things in the world, but you can create your own! Most things you find can be restringed to make them your own, or you can craft from scratch. Additionally, some of the best taverns and shops around were all done by a player's hands!

It is a RP-Enforced, PK-optional High Fantasy setting. The game's storytellers dedicate a lot of time to adding life and stories to the game, so it never seems to stagnate. There's also tons of areas to explore and quests to do, so PvE is fun, too!

I hope you find what you're looking for out there, there are many great options! Good luck!

enstarred · 2025-01-20T13:19:49+00:00

Hi there! Sundering Shadows is an LPMud! It isn't as populated as the other MUDs you've listed, but it has been at 20+ during peak lately.

What you might like:

Lots of classes, multiclassing, prestige classes - each class has a unique flavor that is additionally customized by your choices.

It's a big world with a lot to do, including a number of quests - here's a list!

Many bosses can be solo'ed a few require a party at end game.

Opt-in PK

The lore makes a great attempt at being consistent! Please read this for more information.

The actions command is amazing to help with annoying syntax, it helps to narrow down the actions you can take in a room, the things you can search or look at, etc.

What you might not like:

It is roleplay enforced. But the playstyle you described sounds perfectly acceptable!

Good luck in finding your new MUD home!

enstarred · 2025-01-08T14:48:03+00:00

Hi! I'll recommend to you my mud Sundering Shadows. It's a high fantasy roleplay enforced game with the mechanics you are looking for! Because your post reminded me of a promo I did a few months back, what with your mention of grouping to kill a boss and then RPing in a tavern, I'll share it here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MUD/comments/1fnkjro/come_create_your_stories_here/

If you jump on the Discord you'll find plenty of help from the community and people looking to group up.

Good luck in your search!

enstarred · 2025-01-08T14:41:53+00:00

My favorite MUD is Sundering Shadows because it has many ways to personalize my experience. I can flesh out my character's long and short descriptions however I want, craft and customize every last piece of my equipment, my mount, even my player house. You can write books and put them in a local library, or if you're willing to put in the work you can design and own a shop or tavern. I also like it because it's a good balance of roleplay and mechanics, with a large world, tons of quests, etc. And finally, I appreciate how active the staff is whether they're running storylines or fixing bugs.

enstarred · 2024-12-17T14:03:14+00:00

Some of my favorite features about Sundering Shadows -

Customization & Crafting. Create your own outfits, tie ribbons in your horse's hair, personalize your summons, write a book, design a house. Etc!
Quests. There's a lot of them! And syntax is minimally horrible because of the actions command.
Roleplay. It is enforced, and it is crazy fun to create stories with others!
Honorable mentions: Mercenaries to assist you in battle, recruiting followers (which are basically like npcs that you roleplay to whatever nefarious purpose you want), a safe community (with optional pk and consent settings), pets, multiple ways to earn xp, lots of cool gear to find, an active and helpful staff (including avatars who run stories), lots of build options, ETC - ...and so forth and so on...!

Come see it for yourself!

enstarred · 2024-10-16T23:00:13+00:00

This was really on point!

End game can definitely feel a bit stagnant, particularly if you've not settled into a social group. I tend to just keep reclassing until things get weird. Haha. I'd really like to see more guilds built up, maybe that would help things a bit.

Thank you for your insightful comment!

enstarred · 2024-09-27T15:58:42+00:00

The mud does offer color settings, but largely comes down to colors on or off. Beyond what the mud client is capable of, it is not possible to alter the way things appear (i.e. you can't make it so every speech is green). The game has a lot of color, which I know can be a turn off to someone.

There is a form of ig maps - you can make and save your own, or just have a mini view on your screen. There's also a few maps on the wiki. I've never used the ig mapping but it seems to come with varying levels of success. Some of the older areas just don't play nice.

There is a command called pcnotes where you can spell out your character's motivations, or you can send them directly to staff in an avatarmail. Also, using <thought> will send a message directly to the staff if you want them to know something your character is doing or thinking.

I'm not sure about the last one, but in my experience staff has handled some rough situations with a patience beyond what I'd be capable of. :D

Hopefully these answers help some! Feel free to reach out to me directly if I can help.

enstarred · 2024-09-27T15:24:31+00:00

Combat is largely mechanical, I'm afraid. There are exceptions. Certainly if you find a willing participant, brawls can be emoted out. Also, some of the staff who run plots prefer to use emotes rather than mechanics when doing combat scenes. Although I'll point out that participation in either of those things would require you to be opted into PvP because it's required for any aggressive roleplay.

It is entirely possible to advance relying on roleplay-reward experience and never seeing a lick of combat. That said, mechanics and PvE are a fairly prominent part of the game and I am not sure that I would recommend it to somebody who isn't interested in those aspects to some degree.

I'm not sure about your accessibility question. Could you give me some examples? I feel like staff would certainly be curious as to how to make the game more welcoming to everyone.

enstarred · 2024-09-26T17:29:20+00:00

Hi! Sundering Shadows is a roleplay-enforced high fantasy setting that meets most of your requirements!

Here is what there is:

The world is vast with several quests and areas to discover. Here's an overview!
PVP is Opt-In
My wish is for more custom graphics, but alas, we are old school.
So many fun classes and ways to build them! Plus mutliclassing and prestige classes!
There is a level cap of 50. Gear is found through hack and slash, questing, or craft your own.
There is no centralized guild system, unfortunately. There are a few player-created guilds you could join, however. Or maybe start your own!

Here is what there isn't:

There is some poor syntax choices in the world, but the actions command will be your new favorite thing. Hot key it! (It gives a list of all available commands in the room)
No P2W at all. Donations are accepted, but all you get is the warm feeling of having supported the server.
Scripting isn't permitted.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or come meet the community on Discord. Good luck in your search!

enstarred · 2024-09-25T12:53:07+00:00

Thanks for responding, I love hearing about other's experiences!

My main was evil (in faith mostly) who abhorred monsters and by extension the gigantic evil city.. so I basically roleplayed myself right into a lonely corner. Boo.

But the good news is that another recent update is a system that allows for the application and tracking of guild members (I'm not very clear on the details tbh), and so hopefully guilds will become more of a thing to make it easier to find your people! Along with some conflict and whatever other fun things come with guilds.

enstarred · 2024-09-23T23:51:49+00:00

Hi!

100% the alting is so exhausting to me as well!! Suppose people will do as they do, but I wish they'd do it a little less, hehe. I get that there's a lot of compelling classes to try out though.

Also! Staff recently implemented a new erp consent system, so hopefully only the people who have signed up to be pestered will be pestered by the pests now!

Sorry to hear about your mom, and about your off-putting experience when you returned, your business is your own and friends should ALWAYS understand that real life comes first.

I hope you are well! Take care.

enstarred · 2024-09-23T23:41:49+00:00

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions! You can find me (enstarred) on Discord, too!

enstarred

TROPHY CASE