Writing A good problem to have.

[Rezcore]

I've been toying with a couple of story ideas. Both of them in a pre industrial parallel world. Haven't been able to decide if my mc should be the only person with magic or not. Also want to use a system, but not one that is too cliché. I'm thinking that it will simply just give him quest, in return he would unlock certain things. The stuff he'd get are steam engine blueprints, steel production guides, basically information and not strength. If he were to get any skills I'd look for the skills to be crafting and oratory.

 

[ThrillingHuman]

Haven't been able to decide if my mc should be the only person with magic or not.

not

Also want to use a system, but not one that is too cliché.

don't

I'm thinking that it will simply just give him quest, in return he would unlock certain things. The stuff he'd get are steam engine blueprints, steel production guides, basically information

lost me

 

[Rezcore]

not

don't
lost me

Basically it'll just be a information portal. So he'd get a quest that goes something like: Cut down 30 small trees. Reward: Charcoal production technique.
What it won't do is give him the ability to add skill points to his base stats. The would also be a store in which he could buy information to bridge to subjects. Like say he has gotten the information on how to make a matchlock pistol, and then gets one that gives him access to make a colt army revolver, he could then buy the intermediate information.

 

[APieceOfRock]

I've been toying with a couple of story ideas. Both of them in a pre industrial parallel world. Haven't been able to decide if my mc should be the only person with magic or not. Also want to use a system, but not one that is too cliché. I'm thinking that it will simply just give him quest, in return he would unlock certain things. The stuff he'd get are steam engine blueprints, steel production guides, basically information and not strength. If he were to get any skills I'd look for the skills to be crafting and oratory.

He shouldn't be the only one to have magic. Otherwise, conflicts would be over pretty fast. (Unless his magic is extremely underwhelming or weapons and armies in your world is very strong)

Having blueprints directly be given to him by completing basically unrelated tasks is already a cheat in the pre-industrial era. I'd be surprised if he isn't a renowned inventor by chapter, like, 40.

 

[Zinless]

Haven't been able to decide if my mc should be the only person with magic or not.

Not. It would be more interesting (imo)

Also want to use a system, but not one that is too cliché.

Cliché ≠ bad system. Just make sure it's interesting and can help support the story.

I'm thinking that it will simply just give him quest, in return he would unlock certain things.

That's a bit... cliché. But, as long as it makes the story interesting, I don't see why not.
But, you need more than just a simple "Quest done, item get!"

The would also be a store in which he could buy information to bridge to subjects. Like say he has gotten the information on how to make a matchlock pistol, and then gets one that gives him access to make a colt army revolver, he could then buy the intermediate information.

Sorry, you lost me. Do you mean that if he can make object A, and object C, then he can buy information on how to make the hybrid of those objects? (Object AC?)

Anyway, the concept seems fun! Looking forward to it!

I'd be surprised if he isn't a renowned inventor by chapter, like, 40.

Chapter 20, that's my bet.

 

[ACertainPassingUser]

It's okay to make cliche story.

Cliche ≠ Bad

It simply boring and won't attract attention. But bad story with horrible plot and vulgar language that supposedly "funny" and "unique" is just shit post parody.

But it's undeniably good and works.

****​

Mist of the time, those cliches were actually the thing most people would do in their position and situation.

I.e, when a character is hungry, he wwants to eat. When a character see beautiful castle for the first time, he will be amazed. When a character get thrown into bunch of random, he will be confused. When a character see system for the first time, he will be surprised.

****
​

And for system, I would like for you to make a whole outline of how the system work.

What it was based from ?
Does it work like your typical litrpg with stat and quest ?
Does it work like those gacha machine ?
Does it have awareness or it's just some kind of lazy plot device for author to tell what the character should do ?

Etc.

 

[Tempokai]

If you want to make system more interesting, I suggest to make it not to give the technology straight away. You imply that the MC is native, not a from modern world. Make it like it is giving clues to the specific technology, aka research boost. So the rewards would be rewarding enough.

Also, the technology advances are not made alone, because the technology must spread to be effective, and pass to new level of developement.

 

[BlackKnightX]

As a reader, I usually care more about the characters. Doesn't matter whether it's cliché or not. I love unique and lively characters. Seeing them interact is so much fun.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

System = shit. Doesn't matter what kind of system, all of them are garbage. Yet a lot of readers like garbage, so you can do whatever you want.

 

[Jemini]

I've been toying with a couple of story ideas. Both of them in a pre industrial parallel world. Haven't been able to decide if my mc should be the only person with magic or not. Also want to use a system, but not one that is too cliché. I'm thinking that it will simply just give him quest, in return he would unlock certain things. The stuff he'd get are steam engine blueprints, steel production guides, basically information and not strength. If he were to get any skills I'd look for the skills to be crafting and oratory.

Err... Ok. I'm seeing a large number of concepts here. Rule of thumb is that any concept can work if the implementation is done well.

That said, this exact combination of concepts you're mentioning here sound like a very bad idea and will not go together well.

MC being the only one with magic CAN work if they have a system, but that system has to be the source of the magic. That's the only way to explain it. If you use the system giving knowledge deal you're talking about here, the MC cannot be the only one with magic.

 

[RepresentingThree]

System = shit. It doesn't matter what kind of system; all are garbage. Yet a lot of readers like garbage, so you can do whatever you want.

Solo leveling has a system, and it's not shit. Think of a system like a flathead screwdriver. Realistically it can be used anywhere a Phillip can, but it's not always the best option. Ultimately, it's a tool, and you need to know how to use it.

 

[Lloyd]

System = shit. Doesn't matter what kind of system, all of them are garbage. Yet a lot of readers like garbage, so you can do whatever you want.

But it's fun

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Solo leveling has a system, and it's not shit. Think of a system like a flathead screwdriver. Realistically it can be used anywhere a Phillip can, but it's not always the best option. Ultimately, it's a tool, and you need to know how to use it.

It's simply my very subjective opinion, and there is no way you can change it. In my opinion system = shit. Solo leveling system is shit and so is solo leveling in general. System isn't a tool, it's a crutch.

 

[greyblob]

It's simply my very subjective opinion, and there is no way you can change it. In my opinion system = shit. Solo leveling system is shit and so is solo leveling in general. System isn't a tool, it's a crutch.

what about when the system isn't exclusive to the mc? everyone in the world has access to it.

 

[melchi]

If someone has some kind of overwhelming power advantage no physical threat can create any tension.

So if only the MC has the system, likely any bad guys could easily be a joke.

Doubling that with technology it will only compound how problematic building tension will be.

Maybe it is just me, but a story about some demigod stomping on humanity like ants gets old fast.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

what about when the system isn't exclusive to the mc? everyone in the world has access to it.

Still garbage and a crutch. In my opinion, everything a system does in a story can be better if you use other things. I can be wrong, yet no one here can change my mind.

As for what you've mentioned, it's quirks from My Hero Academia. Everyone has power, everyone levels up their powers differently, MC is still more different than others, and so on. Why quirks are better? Because it's something less generic than a system. Doesn't matter if it's awfully unique or not, the author at least tried to add some flavor.

 

[RepresentingThree]

Still garbage and a crutch. In my opinion, everything a system does in a story can be better if you use other things. I can be wrong, yet no one here can change my mind.

As for what you've mentioned, it's quirks from My Hero Academia. Everyone has power, everyone levels up their powers differently, MC is still more different than others, and so on. Why quirks are better? Because it's something less generic than a system. Doesn't matter if it's awfully unique or not, the author at least tried to add some flavor.

Do you believe Overlord to be shit?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Do you believe Overlord to be shit?

I don't like Overlord, but I can't say it's shit.

 

[RepresentingThree]

I don't like Overlord, but I can't say it's shit.

Interesting.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Interesting.

It's not directed to you or anyone in particular, but unlike some fans, I have some objectivity. If I like garbage, I will say it's garbage, and I like it. I can say that something is good\mid even if I don't like it. My evaluations are based on my subjective criteria.