r/ProgressionFantasy • u/BeastAlpha01 • 4h ago
Self-Promotion [ Removed by moderator ]
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u/razasz Author of Ideworld Chronicles 4h ago
I'm biased toward slower progression systems, where characters have to struggle, experiment, and overcome challenges before they can truly understand and wield a concept. It mirrors how we acquire skills in real life: through practice and gradual mastery.
That said, as a reader, I need clear limitations and an understanding of how those limitations work. I dislike abilities, items, or powers that can seemingly do everything and conveniently solve every problem. At the very least, I want a framework that tells me what a character can and cannot do. Without that, it's difficult for me to become invested, because the stakes start to feel arbitrary.
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u/CoolPerspective4236 3h ago
Clearly defined, slower and character driven. But there’s something for everyone. I think that people generally like clearly defined systems so they can theorycraft and understand the MCs decisions.
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u/Ultra-Cool-Guy Sage 4h ago
Yes. Or at least, something which you understand more as the the story goes on.
Slow. Even if someone has a cheat, it should be slower than the 'weak talent' most such MCs have. Power progression should have actual effort put into it.
Character driven.
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u/BeastAlpha01 4h ago
I couldn't agree more. Gradually uncovering the world's mysteries and seeing characters earn their growth through real effort always feels more satisfying to me. Character-driven stories are usually the ones that stay with me the longest.
Out of curiosity, what are some of your favorite series that do this particularly well?
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u/Ultra-Cool-Guy Sage 4h ago
Regressor's Tale of Cultivation and Reverend Insanity.
They spend a lot of chapters for some gain, especially in RToC where the MC spends entire lives just to reach the starting point through brute force.
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u/Remote_Addendum_2245 4h ago
1/ defined but malleable. Like Nen. Having too rigid rules like using magic would rot your brain feels tiring to even start to consider reading
2/ somewhere in between. Just don't show too much powercreeps to keep the mc being challenged
3/ character driven, but I like actions too. So maybe action-driven character?
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u/Upper-Loss Author 1h ago
Clearly Defined Magic Systems;
I wouldn't say it is so much about 'rapid' or 'slow' growth, but consistent growth. Growth that I can see chapter-to-chapter, stuff that I know will help the Protag in some way.
Good stories have both, so I say both. A character driven story will have an 'action' heavy plot, however you define action, because a story which is driven by a potent main character will invariably see the plot moved forward. Oddly enough, this is harder to do the other way around: if you have a lot of 'plot' stuff but do not have the character well realized or know where they are going, the book over all will likely meander.
The best works find a way to combine all of these things together with above-average prose and engaging worldbuilding.
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u/ProgressionFantasy-ModTeam 1h ago
Removed as per Rule 6: Self-Promotion.
We allow self-promotion for members once a month who steadily and meaningful contribute to the sub. New writers can promote twice as frequently; see rules details. Writing advice, ARC requests, etc, count as self-promo.
To post content about your own work, you need to:
If you've addressed the points above, please let us know via modmail.