XP / Leveling

Multiple XP tracks run simultaneously: in-run XP powers skill selection during the run (level up → choose a skill from three random options); talent XP uses gold coins for permanent upgrades; equipment levels use enhancement stones. Each run starts fresh for skills but carries persistent stat boosts from talents and equipment. Every session produces measurable forward movement on at least one axis.

The dual-loop design, fresh in-run skills plus persistent cross-run progression, means every session has a different skill composition, creating variety within a consistent progression framework. A failed run still contributes gold and experience to the talent tree and equipment tracks, making failure feel productive rather than wasted.

The talent tree is accessible from the home screen. In-run XP is displayed as a progress bar during runs. Level-up moments during runs trigger full-screen skill selection overlays.

In-run skills are selected from a random pool at level-up and reset on run completion, every run has a different skill combination, creating variety within the consistent roguelite structure.

Account XP is earned from missions, matches, skill games, and daily tasks (750 XP per completed daily bundle). Level-ups unlock new systems on a defined schedule: Level 5 unlocks Challenge Mode, Level 6 unlocks Scouting Camp, Level 9 unlocks the Transfer Market, Level 14 unlocks Manager Mode. Three level-ups occurred in a single early session. Each level-up grants a pack containing 200 gems. Individual players have separate training levels (capped at 30 per rank) and rank-up levels, creating a second progression axis alongside account level.

The staggered feature unlock schedule means every level-up is meaningful, it either grants a pack (always) or unlocks a new system (at defined thresholds). The dual-axis leveling system (account level plus per-player training and rank-up) creates a significant resource management layer, though it introduced friction early: rank-up points were at zero when the tutorial first prompted their use.

Level-up popups announce each new unlock with copy stating 'XP is used to increase your account level. Each level unlocks new content.' No persistent XP bar was visible during normal play, progress is only surfaced at the moment of level-up. Player-level details are accessible in the squad management UI.

Level-up copy names the function without conveying value, 'each level unlocks new content' describes the mechanic rather than telling the player what specifically they are about to unlock.

City Hall has three upgrade axes, Finance, Economy, and Livelihood, each independently upgradeable. Finance Level 1→2 costs 1,350 coins and adds coin storage and prosperity. Economy Level 1→2 costs 1,500 coins and unlocks a vehicle. Livelihood Level 1→2 costs 1,500 coins and adds a VIP citizen. City Prosperity is a cumulative score visible in the top bar, increasing with each achievement, building addition, and upgrade, and checked against achievement thresholds (prosperity reaches 10, 20, 30, 50...). Builder's Hub is a separate upgrade increasing the daily building construction limit from 5 to 6, costing 500 diamonds.

City Hall upgrade options appear by tapping the city hall building. The three axes are listed with current level, upgrade cost, and benefit. City Prosperity displays continuously in the top UI bar.

Three parallel upgrade axes (Finance → storage, Economy → vehicles, Livelihood → citizens) give the player a strategic choice about which city aspect to develop first, creating a personalization layer in what would otherwise be a linear progression.

The body rank system gives each muscle group an independent rank advancing through Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. Performing exercises targeted at a muscle group fills that muscle's rank bar. At onboarding, a rank assessment asks the user for their best lifts on one chosen exercise and assigns an immediate rank (Bronze 3 for pull-ups in the session), with a predicted date to reach Gold. The account also carries a level displayed on the home screen avatar with a progress bar. A Double XP Shake consumable doubles XP earned during a single workout.

Per-muscle ranking creates visible imbalance: a user who only trains chest sees chest rank advance while back rank stagnates. The imbalance is motivating without any explicit prompt, because the display itself communicates what is missing.