Progression Philosophy

#systemRPG

Progression Philosophy

Intentional Complexity

The SystemRPG embraces complexity as a core design feature. The risk of analysis paralysis is intentional, reflecting the System's nature as both opportunity and trap.

False Paths and Limitations

The progression system contains deliberate "trap options" and limiting choices:

  • Classes restrict how many new skills you can learn (based on class rarity)
  • Some Paths provide immediate power but limit long-term growth
  • Certain combinations of choices can lead to dead ends
  • Not all progression routes are equally valuable

The Paradox of Choice

Despite appearing overwhelmingly complex, the underlying resolution is simple:

  • Everything reduces to Power Level vs Power Level checks
  • Power Level = Relevant Skill + Relevant Stat(s)
  • The complexity serves to engage players in meaningful decision-making
  • Analysis and planning become part of the gameplay experience

Player Engagement Through Progression

The system rewards attention and intentional play:

  1. Active Choices Matter: What you do and how you do it determines available Paths
  2. Roleplay Drives Mechanics: Story actions unlock mechanical rewards
  3. Discovery Through Play: The "video game" framing helps players focus on narrative
  4. Every Action Counts: Skills level through use, creating organic character growth

The Meta-Game

Understanding the System itself becomes a game:

  • More skills → More class options at higher rarities
  • Strategic Path selection shapes character identity
  • Players learn to navigate the System's tests and rewards
  • Mastery comes from understanding both obvious and hidden connections

This design philosophy creates a game where mechanical optimization and narrative roleplay reinforce each other rather than competing for attention.

Rarity vs Power Scales Distinction

Two Complementary Systems:
The SystemRPG uses two distinct but interconnected scaling systems that work together to create meaningful progression choices:

Rarity Scales (1-25)

  • Purpose: Determines the potential power and base difficulty of skills, spells, classes, and other features
  • Function: Sets base XP requirements and capability ceiling for each feature
  • Examples:
    • Common Skill (Rarity 3): Easy to level, moderate potential
    • Legendary Skill (Rarity 20): Very hard to level, extraordinary potential
    • Epic Class (Rarity 18): Extremely rare access, reality-shaping capabilities

Power Scales (Milestone Levels)

  • Purpose: Provides exponential progression costs and qualitative improvements at milestone levels
  • Function: Creates increasingly difficult advancement thresholds that apply to ALL features
  • Milestone Levels: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, etc.
  • Universal Application: Every skill, stat, and feature faces these milestone challenges

How They Interact

Combined Effect on Advancement:

  • Base Cost (from Rarity) × Milestone Multiplier (from Power Scales) = Total XP Required
  • Low rarity features advance quickly through early milestones
  • High rarity features provide greater rewards but require massive investment
  • Milestone levels create natural "breakpoints" where advancement becomes significantly more challenging

Strategic Implications:

  • Breadth vs Depth: Develop many moderate skills vs few exceptional skills
  • Timing Decisions: When to push through difficult milestones vs develop other areas
  • Resource Allocation: Where to invest limited XP and advancement opportunities
  • Character Identity: Rarity choices define what kind of extraordinary being you become

Example Progression Comparison:

  • Broad Specialist: 10 Common skills at level 25 each
  • Focused Master: 2 Legendary skills at level 50 each
  • Balanced Approach: Mix of Common (high level) and Legendary (low level) skills

This dual-system approach ensures that both mechanical progression and character identity remain meaningful throughout the entire advancement curve, from starting characters to reality-shaping legends.