Genre: Action RPG

Expert blueprint for action RPGs emphasizing real-time combat, character builds, loot, and progression.

NEVER Do (Expert Anti-Patterns)

Combat & Progression

• NEVER use linear damage scaling for progression; strictly use an exponential curve (e.g., base * pow(1.15, level)) to maintain the power fantasy.
• NEVER allow defense stats to stack linearly to 100%; strictly use a Diminishing Returns formula (e.g., armor / (armor + 100.0)) to prevent invincibility.
• NEVER skip Hit Recovery (Stagger); strictly implement a brief stagger state (0.2s - 0.5s) on significant hits to prevent "floaty" combat.
• NEVER hide critical stats from the player; strictly provide a detailed character sheet for theory-crafting (Crit Chance, Resistance, etc.).
• NEVER make loot drops visually identical; strictly differentiate rarities with color-coded beams (purple/gold) and distinct sound cues.
• NEVER calculate hitboxes, knockbacks, or combat movement in _process(); strictly use _physics_process() for deterministic results.
• NEVER evaluate exact floating-point equality (==) for combat thresholds; strictly use is_equal_approx().
• NEVER use the ! (NOT) operator in AnimationTree Advance Condition expressions; strictly use explicit boolean equality (is_walking == false).