Calling all the LitRPG specialists!

[Deleted member 68927]

So, what is a good chapter length for a LitRPG? I have this idea which will be a long fic, but I wonder about the chapter length. What helps you immerse your readers? Also, what kind of stats do I need to have? I know about Health, Mana and Stamina, but what else? I am aiming for a LitRPG inspired by Atlantica Online, so with mercs. Any advice you can give is most welcome!

 

[Cipiteca396]

2k word chapters.

 

[HelloHound]

Maybe you oughta drop the health points stats unless you're trying to make it some type of video game VR type of story

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Maybe you oughta drop the health points stats unless you're trying to make it some type of video game VR type of story

Oh, there will be a lot of death in the beginning. With complete loss of all the loot, unless the character goes back for it to the death spot. Like in WoW (I have never played WoW, but I heard that is how it goes there.)

 

[Cipiteca396]

Based on the game tutorial, it's not a super unusual system. Could probably divide the numbers by ten or even a hundred and still have a good balance.

Start simple, and only add what's relevant to your story.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Would it be ok if I use a pathfinder character sheet? I found one in German. It is not like I will be making money off the story. Or will I still face a lawsuit along the line?

 

[Cipiteca396]

Would it be ok if I use a pathfinder character sheet? I found one in German. It is not like I will be making money off the story. Or will I still face a lawsuit along the line?

If you never post the sheet, legal things don't matter. If you want to show the sheet, it'll be easier to make something up yourself. You won't get sued, but- actually do you want to make a fanfic?

 

[Deleted member 68927]

If you never post the sheet, legal things don't matter. If you want to show the sheet, it'll be easier to make something up yourself. You won't get sued, but- actually do you want to make a fanfic?

No, an original story. I just want an already ready character sheet. But I suppose I can put one together from different character sheets. The important part is to have it somewhere, so I can check it up when I can.

 

[Cipiteca396]

No, an original story. I just want an already ready character sheet. But I suppose I can put one together from different character sheets. The important part is to have it somewhere, so I can check it up when I can.

Do you already have an idea of why you want the character to have a stat sheet? It's hard to tell you what stats should be in your story.

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

So, what is a good chapter length for a LitRPG? I have this idea which will be a long fic, but I wonder about the chapter length. What helps you immerse your readers? Also, what kind of stats do I need to have? I know about Health, Mana and Stamina, but what else? I am aiming for a LitRPG inspired by Atlantica Online, so with mercs. Any advice you can give is most welcome!

I do 2 k, 2.5 k, 3k, 4k, and 6k chapters. They vary massively. Chapters with a heavy focus on the stat screen and skill level ups are 6k or higher, so you have 1. analysis of the stat screens, 2. your character is thinking on how it impacts them (or reacting with great emotion, be it horror, joy, inspiration, etc.), 3. and progression of story outside of stats. Chapters with a low focus on the stat screen are typically 2-4k chapters.
As for stats you need to have, that depends on the mechanics behind the magic and how you define each stat. I like to balance each stat with another stat or similar stat, but rule of three also works quite well. What rules to your magic do you have?

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Do you already have an idea of why you want the character to have a stat sheet? It's hard to tell you what stats should be in your story.

Shouldn't they have sheets? I mean, it is LitRPG, right? I did write a LitRPG once, but it was with achievements and abilities. Now I want to try something different.

I do 2 k, 2.5 k, 3k, 4k, and 6k chapters. They vary massively. Chapters with a heavy focus on the stat screen and skill level ups are 6k or higher, so you have 1. analysis of the stat screens, 2. your character is thinking on how it impacts them (or reacting with great emotion, be it horror, joy, inspiration, etc.), 3. and progression of story outside of stats. Chapters with a low focus on the stat screen are typically 2-4k chapters.
As for stats you need to have, that depends on the mechanics behind the magic and how you define each stat. I like to balance each stat with another stat or similar stat, but rule of three also works quite well. What rules to your magic do you have?

Defeat monsters to level up and gain the points? Eat them for extra abilities.

 

[Syringe]

1.5 - 2k+ I feel is good. 1k is good too, but I feel like that's passable only if you can upload very frequently.

 

[melchi]

If you are going to have HP then you'll need to have damage numbers as well. Full on game mechanics tend to be on the longer side but 1.5K + words per chapter seems to be the norm. Though if it doesn't have much combat hit points might not be needed. Having constitution or vitality might be enough.

 

[Cipiteca396]

Shouldn't they have sheets? I mean, it is LitRPG, right? I did write a LitRPG once, but it was with achievements and abilities. Now I want to try something different.

Defeat monsters to level up and gain the points? Eat them for extra abilities.

You're not giving us much to work with. Oh well. Have a look at this:

Health	Energy/Mana
Physical Attack	Magic Attack
Physical Defense	Magic Defense
Speed	Luck

Have your Damage equal your Weapon Power * Attack (Magic for spells, Phy for weapons);
Damage gets reduced by the victim's Armor * Defense stat (Again, Magic for spells, Phys for weapons);
Speed determines movement and evasion;
luck determines drop chance and crit chance.

 

[Deleted member 68927]

I finished my character sheet! It is a Frankenstein Monster from Pathfinder, Atlantica and DnD! Hopefully, nobody will notice XD. Now I have to figure out how to put tables on AO3. Google time!

 

[Cipiteca396]

I finished my character sheet! It is a Frankenstein Monster from Pathfinder, Atlantica and DnD! Hopefully, nobody will notice XD. Now I have to figure out how to put tables on AO3. Google time!

Share?

 

[Deleted member 68927]

A bit rough, but the good thing is, that I can copy and paste the table from Excel into the chapter. It won't have any boarders, but it still saves me a lot of work! @Cipiteca396 Will probably add more with achievements later.

Characterbögen: Amalric
Punkte	Alle	Base	Von Zaubertrank	Von Segen	Von Quests	Von handwerklichen Stufen
Gesundheit	110	100	0	10	0	0
Mana	50	50	0	0	0	0
Starke	10	10	0	0	0	0
Intelligenz	13	10	0	3	0	0
Geschicklichkeit	10	10	0	0	0	0
Schutz	120	20	0	100	0	0
Charme	11	10	0	1	0	0
Glück	11	10	0	1	0	0
Ganz	335
Rüstung und Waffen
Oberkörper	Kopf	Hosen	Schuhen	Hauptwaffe	Verdorbene Waffe
Leder Rüstung	Leder Helm	Leder Hosen	Leder Schuhen	Eisernes Schwert	Eiserner Dolch
10	1	10	5	11	6
45

 

[Cipiteca396]

A bit rough, but the good thing is, that I can copy and paste the table from Excel into the chapter. It won't have any boarders, but it still saves me a lot of work! @Cipiteca396 Will probably add more with achievements later.

Characterbögen: Amalric
Points	At	Base	From magic potion	Of blessings	Of quests	Of artisanal levels
Health	110	100	0	10	0	0
Mana	50	50	0	0	0	0
Starke	10	10	0	0	0	0
intelligence	13	10	0	3	0	0
skill	10	10	0	0	0	0
Schutz	120	20	0	100	0	0
Charm	11	10	0	1	0	0
Luck	11	10	0	1	0	0
Quite	335
Armor and weapons
upper body	Kopf	Pants	shoes	main weapon	Corrupted weapon
Leather armor	Leader Helm	Leather pants	Leather shoes	Iron sword	Iron dagger
10	1	10	5	11	6
45

I forgot it would be in German.

 

[Lodur]

I forgot it would be in German.

Stärke = Strenth / Might
Schutz = Protection (Armour?)
Ganz = Total
Alle = Current / Actual
Kopf = Head
Verdorbene Waffe = Companion (Off-hand) Weapon (This one is simply my guess... Why off-hand weapon should be "corrupted" ("spoiled", "rotten", "tainted")? Because of lesser strenth and agility of non-dominant hand compared to dominant?)

 

[Deleted member 68927]

Stärke = Strenth / Might
Schutz = Protection (Armour?)
Ganz = Total
Kopf = Head
Verdorbene Waffe = Companion (Off-hand) Weapon (This one is simply my guess... Why off-hand weapon should be "corrupted" ("spoiled", "rotten", "tainted")? Because of lesser strenth and agility of non-dominant hand compared to dominant?)

You know, I simply didn't know what offhand meant, so I used Linguee to find out. But a corrupted weapon sounds great! I am keeping it!
Why did I put this in Artist general? I could swear I put it in Author general. Hm... Oh, well.