Yes or Nay to XP bar? (LitRPG)

[MafiaNoble]

Do any LITRPG authors here keep a visible XP bar visible in the stat sheet and actually keep track of how much XP a monster gives? I did that for a different hobby novel (which setting was literally in a game) and am wondering whether or not to do something like that in a reincarnation type novel. I'm already working with some stats, stamina & health and am wondering if EXP should be something that's visible tracked for progression purposes or if that makes it to " game like " so to say.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Have seen some screen shots of manga or anime using hp and mana bars but not XP bars. In a non-visual medium it seems like an awkward thing to deal with.
Usually, the character requests a Status Update or Character Sheet to find out their current XP and how much they need to level up (I avoided that by using "milestone" and "task" rewards instead of points in mine).

 

[Castoroftheink]

I think it depends on how you use it and if it's just like an internal thing to track his skill progression or if it's something the character himself is aware of. If it's just internal for keeping consistent track of where he should be strengthwise, I think it's a great idea and likewise if he is aware of it in universe, it could make for some interesting story beats where he's essentially having to meet a quota of experience points in order to meet a goal that he needs or something. All in all I definitely don't see it as a detraction if it's done right and not overused.

Edit: although if the character inherently doesn't care about XP or level progression, it wouldn't really makes sense I guess.

 

[Jerynboe]

I keep an active exp bar, but it operates on milestones/quests as opposed to monster kills. Which occasionally creates story opportunities like the time that my MC needed to break into an artificer’s workshop and force him to make a piano at gunpoint. (MC was one exp away from leveling up and a big thing was coming up fast so he needed to do the side quest NOW)

 

[Lysander_Works]

An XP system? Yes.
A visual bar? No. Ruins the surprise of leveling anything up.

 

[Cipiteca396]

Way too much work for you as an author.