Writing Skill boxes/status screen for LitRPG.

[NuiProductions.]

Heyo, im tinkering with a LitRPG story, but I'm kinda stumped on the status screen and skill boxes and the like. What do you other author usually do for the status screen? Do you just use the table function or do yoy have a secret trick?

 

[Rhaps]

Not a litrpg author but had played around with the table function before so I think I can understand why some authors use it.

Its neat, and give the status screen its own space. Beyond just making boxes you can change colors and edit a whole lot of things.

And it discourage people from stealing, since copy and paste doesn't copy tables, messing up statuses with multiple boxes.

 

[FlyingPirateCat]

Yes, I use table to make status screen, skill box, skill tree, etc.
You can take a look at this chapter for example: <link>

 

[Syringe]

No secret tricks. The table is pretty much all you need. The only real thing you need to consider is format/layout.

 

[Vnator]

I usually use tables from Google Docs which copy-paste really well onto Scribblehub and RR. However, if you ever want to publish on Kindle, the epub format does NOT accept tables or even tabs! You're only stuck with bold and italic, not even different font sizes.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

I dunno... Let's find out.

STATUS​

Stronk	14
Swole	16
Rizz	12
Chutzpah	22
Smert	24
FPS	11

Well, that's what shows up when I say "Status"

 

[J_Chemist]

As mentioned, you can use tables if you want to write it directly into the text box.

Or, if it's available and you can post pictures, there's also the option to make an image. Using Photoshop or some other editor, you can be more creative with your Status and also make it easier on the eyes to view. Edit your text values, export the image and host it somewhere like imgur, then upload it with your chapter.

I used to do image stuff like that on Proboards back in my roleplaying youth. I got away with some fancy stuff compared to the stuff the other nerds were using.

 

[Nexus_English]

I usually use tables from Google Docs which copy-paste really well onto Scribblehub

Yeah, what this guy said.

 

[BlackKnightX]

Consider what each stat and function do and what they mean. For example, strength indicates your raw muscle power (how hard you hit and how much weight you can lift). Once you know what purpose each one has, you can play around with it however you want.

Do note, though, this is a novel, not a video game. The purpose of a status screen is to help you tell a story. Don't get too geeky about it.

Make it unique is the best advice. Make it stand out from the crowd. You can mix and match different systems from different stories or games you like and create something new. And, just as important as its uniqueness, keep it comprehensible.

 

[PancakesWitch]

i dont like using those things personally, i just build my own status with just brakets and stuff, much more easily than having to set up that box thing lol, who has time for that?

 

[ThousandLeaves]

I think there is a secret trick. It does not matter how it looks at all, the most important trick is that the reader must feel that the stats matter. That is the most critical, I have read very successful novels where the authors totally ignored all the fluff and it worked flawlessly. The first sign that your stats are not working is when the reader just scrolls it down quickly like "Yeah, yeah, better stats, cool."
They should be eager to read it because it heavily impacts the story, not because it looks good.