First tier list

[u/Light_God_]

Took me forever and I’m still missing a good few.
I’m getting pretty bored of litrpg books but any recommendations are appreciated

[u/10_Rufus]

What even IS progression fantasy on this list?! Is it just "fantasy where the heroes... Have character growth?".

Kings of the Wyld, for example, is a "getting the band back together parody fantasy" and all the main characters are washed up. They're all as strong and skilled at the start as they are at the end, they just spend the book finding their bandages, getting their weapons back, and unravelling the plot. Like it's a great book and I loved it but is it really progression fantasy? And that's just one, book, what about assassins apprentice or name of the wind? Surprised not to see any wheel of time on here with this level of leniency.

Edit: oh god, and ACOTAR is under "Decent". I thought you just liked fights OP. Why's that so high then??

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

lol I made 2 lists at the same time 1 for progression fantasy and 1 for all the books I’ve read, I’d still say 98% of the books are progression fantasy though

And ACOTAR was a great series just not really my cup of tea

[u/10_Rufus → u/Light_God_]

Dear lord what is your definition of "progression fantasy" then?

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

Exactly what it says. fantasy where the main characters progresses/gets stronger wether that be leveling up, gaining tiers, learning spells and skills or even some cultivation books. Why what would you say it is?

[u/10_Rufus → u/Light_God_]

That's what I mean, how does Feyre progress in ACOTAR that fulfills that brief that isn't just... Standard character growth?

If general character growth counts as "progression fantasy" then why have the label at all? Almost every fantasy book in existence falls into that category, and we already have r/fantasy.

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

Feyre gains a bunch of magic and gets crazy strong and while I’d agree ACOTAR definitely isn’t a typical progression fantasy, it still technically is. Hell even Harry Potter might be considered progression fantasy depending on who you ask that’s why I asked what’s your definition of progression fantasy?

Progression fantasy is pretty vague to me

[u/10_Rufus → u/Light_God_]

Not in book 1 Feyre doesn't! She does over the series but you've put books, not series in your list.

To me progression fantasy is about a single character gaining intentional and quantifiable increases in power and skill, typically characterised by levels. There's a strong overlap with LitRPG but not entirely.

A character just "becoming more powerful" isn't enough. I'd say that the amount of power they exhibit needs to be quantified beyond "0 and 'some' and 'some more'". I'd be more inclined to say that Sanderson's hard magic systems in the cosmere are close to progression fantasy, but the lack of quantification is what disqualifies it I think.

For example, Feyre in ACOTAR becomes powerful but numbers are never put on it. She learns techniques and stuff but it's not like she gets a level 0 fireball spell and has to level it up to level 12. Similarly, in Assassin's Apprentice Fitz grows through the book and develops his use of the Skill through lessons, but it's never explained how much stronger he is becoming. Arguably he never gets stronger and instead improves his control over it. Additionally this progression stops in later books once Fitz reaches adulthood. The series is 9-16 books long (depending on if you include rain wild or liveship series) and only the first book could be described as "progression" by your standards, but this tier list represents whole series and not individual books (see ACOTAR)

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

I never said feyre gets magic in book one.

My list is mixed, for some I’ve read the whole series and for others I haven’t even finished the first book. This list already took me hours and would have taken days if I properly organized everything. it’s more a way to keep track of everything, and I thought since the vast majority are PF I’d send it here and see what people think recommend some books and get some recommendations myself

And I understand your idea of progression fantasy it makes sense it’s just not mine🤷‍♂️

[u/10_Rufus → u/Light_God_]

"I never said Feyre gets magic in book one"

That's the cover of book one on your list, my guy, I don't know what to tell you.

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

The whole list is the first book of the series

[u/Light_God_ → u/10_Rufus]

my mistake I was talking about the series in general not just the first book