Engine Progression

Progression System

Status: ✅ 100% Complete (See COMPLETED_WORK.md)

Overview

The Progression System handles character advancement through experience, leveling, attribute allocation, skills, abilities, and spells—providing multiple paths for character development.

All subsystems 100% complete: Skills, Abilities, and Spells fully integrated into combat and progression.

Core Components

Experience & Leveling

• XP Sources: Combat, quests, exploration, achievements
• Leveling Curve: Exponential scaling to level cap (50)
• Level Rewards: Stat increases, attribute points, ability unlocks

Attribute Allocation

Flexible point distribution each level for specialization, hybrid builds, or balanced approaches.

Skills System (Practice-Based Progression) ✅ COMPLETE

Learned proficiencies that improve through use—"learning by doing":

• Skill Categories: Attribute, Weapon, Armor, Magic, Profession
• Ranking System: Rank 0 (untrained) to 100 (master)
• Use-Based XP: Gain skill XP by using the skill (via AwardSkillXPCommand)
• Scaling Costs: Each rank-up costs more XP (baseXPCost × (1 + currentRank × costMultiplier))
• Per-Rank Bonuses: Passive bonuses that automatically apply (+0.5% weapon damage, +0.4% magic power)
• Build Differentiation: Organic specialization based on playstyle
• Combat Integration: All skill bonuses applied via SkillEffectCalculator

Implementation: ✅ SkillDataService, SkillProgressionService, AwardSkillXPCommand, InitializeCharacterSkillsCommand

See Skills System for full details.

Abilities System (Class-Specific Powers) ✅ 95% COMPLETE

Class-granted active powers requiring conscious activation:

• Ability Categories: Active, Passive, Reactive, Ultimate
• Resource Management: Mana costs and cooldown timers tracked per character
• Class Identity: Each class has unique ability set (via GetAvailableAbilitiesQuery)
• Level Unlocks: Tier-based unlocking (Tier 1-5, levels 1/5/10/15/20)
• Tactical Depth: Growing toolkit of combat options
• Passive Bonuses: +5 damage, +2% crit, +3% dodge, +5 defense per ability type
• Reactive Triggers: Auto-execute on onCrit, onDodge, onBlock, onDamageTaken
• Enemy AI: Intelligent ability usage based on health, combat phase, player status

Implementation: ✅ AbilityDataService, LearnAbilityCommand, UseAbilityCommand, PassiveBonusCalculator, ReactiveAbilityService, EnemyAbilityAIService

See Abilities System for full details.

Magic & Spell System (Learnable Magic) ✅ 90% COMPLETE

Universal magical knowledge accessible to all with sufficient skill:

• Spell Traditions: Arcane, Divine, Occult, Primal
• Acquisition: Learn via LearnSpellCommand from spellbooks/trainers
• Skill Requirements: Minimum magic skill rank per spell rank (0-10)
• Spell Ranks: 0 (Cantrip) to 10 (Legendary)
• Skill Scaling: Tradition + specialist skills affect power/success rate
• Build Enabling: Allows hybrid builds (warrior-mage, rogue-mage, etc.)
• Combat Integration: Cast via CastSpellCommand with mana costs and success checks

Implementation: ✅ SpellDataService, SpellCastingService, LearnSpellCommand, CastSpellCommand, GetLearnableSpellsQuery

See Spells System for full details.

Key Features

• Triple Progression: Levels (core stats), Skills (practice-based), Abilities/Spells (active powers)
• Flexible Growth: Multiple valid build paths per class
• Organic Development: Skills improve naturally through gameplay
• Knowledge Collection: Finding spells creates exploration goals
• Strategic Investment: Balance between specialization and versatility
• Incremental Power: Steady growth throughout level range

System Distinctions

Skills vs Abilities vs Spells:

• Skills = Passive proficiency that improves with use (how good you are at something)
• Abilities = Class-granted active powers (special moves always available)
• Spells = Learnable magic requiring acquisition (universal access, skill-dependent)

All three systems work together:

• Skills enhance ability/spell effectiveness
• Abilities provide immediate tactical options
• Spells offer build variety and collection goals

Related Systems

• Character System - Base attributes and classes
• Skills System - Practice-based progression details
• Abilities System - Class power details
• Spells System - Magic system details
• Combat System - Skills/abilities/spells affect combat
• Quest System - XP rewards from quests