LitRPG With Unique MC Powers

By Trevor Wells, Co-Commissioning Editor, Level Up

LitRPGs with unique MC powers, classes, and systems used to be rare in the earlier days of the genre; however, with the success of Dungeon Crawler Carl, many new authors with unique and exciting ideas have taken a plunge into the stat-filled depths, of a very rich genre. Despite the OP (overpowered) MC (still a necessary trope of the genre) getting used less by veteran LitRPG authors, the search for weird and exciting ideas has taken the genre in a vastly cool direction (at least in my opinion). While LitRPG is here to stay, the way that authors are creating classes and systems has varied greatly in the past few years.          

Why read LitRPG With Unique MC Powers?

While the question is easy to answer for veteran LitRPG readers, for the legions of new readers to the genre, the answer is simple; the excitement of something new. Let me explain, imagine you’re on Twitch and are searching for a game to watch. Suddenly, you find a brand-new RPG with exciting gameplay (for the sake of this example, it’s the first time you’re introduced to Plasmids in BioShock). This is the equivalent of reading a LitRPG with unique MC powers.

Despite other genres of literature sticking to the same tropes and character arcs for decades, the wonderful part of LitRPG is that authors are willing to experiment and push the boundaries of the genre. Consequently, readers are willing to consume said stories. The freedom to explore interesting and innovative ideas is a perk that many genres cannot afford (or even want to) explore. In essence, if you like adventuring into original ideas, then LitRPGs with unique MC powers are for you.        

Good LitRPGs With Unique MC Powers

Interestingly enough, authors are exploring the horizons of well-crafted LitRPGs with unique MC Powers. While there is no shortage of good stories with MCs that have unique powers, I settled on four published stories and one completed narrative on Royal Road. My requirements were that the MC needed unique powers or the LitRPG system had to be innovative in some respect. Because of the importance of the system in a LitRPG story, I changed my criteria when compiling this list. Rest assured, every book here is well worth your time.

As for an honorable mention, that goes to Star Divers by Stephen Landry. The first time I read the book, I was vastly impressed with the character stats and the weapon choices the MC could choose from throughout the series. While not a unique MC power per se, the weapons and abilities are. Not only that, but the lore the system dropped added to the originality. In any case, here is my list of great LitRPGs with unique MC Powers.

1% Lifesteal

Robert Blaise

Freddy Stern, a twenty-one-year-old cashier, has lived a plain, but harsh life. He’s spent the last ten years working and staying out of trouble. His only aspiration is to save enough money to become an Archhuman. However, Freddy’s dream gets the jump on him when he barely survives a near-death encounter finding himself in possession of 1% Lifesteal, a bizarre talent with numerous contradictions and just as many uses. In a world of countless enemies, Freddy's unique power will help him thrive.

 When I set out on my quest to find LitRPG with unique MC powers, I was excited to give this one a read. It not only subverted my expectations but also gave me everything I wanted in a good LitRPG story. The balance between character development and worldbuilding was executed beautifully. However, what is most impressive is the unique power system presented within the story. If you start this story, I’m sure you won’t put it down.   

The Perfect Run

Maxime J. Durand

Ryan is an adventurer with a strange power; he can create a save-point in time and redo his life whenever he dies. Ryan arrives in New Rome, the glitzy capital of sin. He finds the city torn between mega-corporations, sponsored heroes, superpowered criminals, and true monsters. It's a time of chaos, where potions can grant the power to rule the world and dangers lurk. Ryan only sees different routes; and from Hero to Villain, he must try them all. Only then will he achieve his perfect ending... no matter how many loops it takes.

When crafting this list, The Perfect Run was the first story that came to mind. In my opinion, it is insanely difficult to pull off stories that have time travel and time loops; however, the author creates a nearly perfect narrative that leans into the character’s abilities in an inventive way. The pacing keeps the story fresh and makes it difficult to stop reading. It is evident why The Perfect Run earned its spot as number two for the best-completed series on Royal Road.    

Theft of Decks

Lars Machmüller

Life on the Waves isn’t easy. Especially if you’re a pickpocket with no education and no future. For Chase and his crew of low lives, there is one real option. If they want a path out of poverty, they must unlock access to a magical card system that will change their lives. However, nothing’s free in life. And nobody is going to give them a hand. But what they might lack in education, they have in determination. They're facing both established powers, churches and age-old prejudices. If the Lightborn won’t share and play nice? Sometimes the only way to get a better hand dealt is to steal the whole deck yourself.

Truth be told, I’ve always had a soft spot for deckbuilding LitRPGs and always will (the first book I wrote was a deckbuilder). When done well, the system and powers in most cases are vastly unique. Indeed, the author creates a world with carded and uncarded inhabitants and what’s more, we have epic heists. The world in which the characters inhabit is rich and exhilarating. If you are interested in a story being a mix of Dungeon and Dragons meets Magic the Gathering, this is for you.

The Idle System

 Pegaz

For John, death is only the beginning. Transmigrating into a new world grants him the opportunity to change his view on life. Power and immortality are the new goals, John is willing to pay any price. Unfortunately, there are those who are going to take advantage of him. Shadows behind the curtains, unwilling to reveal themselves. Now, John faces an entire kingdom on his own. His actions carry a sin none are prepared to forgive.

Out of all the books on this list, The Idle System may have the most unique LitRPG system. While the MC powers may not be unique, the way the MC interacts with the system is. The narrative is epic, and the scale is huge. If you like to see the numbers grow in ludicrous amounts, this story will not disappoint.

Summoned! To a Prawn Cocktail Crisp (Royal Road)

Oisin Muldowney

Demon Lord Azanth was one of the greatest demons of the planes of wickedness. Liam Nowak is your average first-year student mage. Azanth is evil. Liam is good. An unlikely partnership comes about when Azanth's enemies overthrow him and force him into the weakest, most flimsy, and impossible-to-comeback form they can think of on the Plane of Life: a crisp (also known as a potato chip). Like Mephistopheles and Faust, the Master and Marguerite, one can't help being evil, and the other... wavers.

Summoned! To a Prawn Cocktail Crisp is a wonderful gem currently on Royal Road. While many stories there are not complete, I am happy to report that this one is. Despite Liam not having unique powers, Demon Lord Azanth has abilities that are tied to him being a potato chip (heal fracture). The story doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is a warm welcome and the writing is well done. This one is for readers who are tired of human MCs.

Soul Shot Skirmisher

Cullen Spurr

Our newly released title Soul Shot Skirmisher features an MC with not only unique powers but an original character class. While in the past I would normally interview the author, Cullen decided to read an excerpt from his book—an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Book Blurb

Welcome players, to Celestia!

Kaleb wakes up in a mysterious world of magic and monsters with a new tattoo he doesn't remember getting. A sadistic and wise-cracking system tells him that he's one of 10,000 people who have been transported to Celestia. The catch? They each have a piece of a map on their skin and some compelling people are vying to collect those pieces. He'll face monsters and cultists alike as he fights for his right to not be skinned alive in a world full of people who desperately want to do just that. The only way to ensure his safety is to gain power.

Good luck out there, players. We hope you enjoy your stay in the idyllic and welcoming world of Celestia.

The map is on your skin and the hunt is on.

A LitRPG with an original character class.   

LitRPG With Unique MC Powers FAQ

WHAT DRIVES A GOOD UNIQUE MC POWERS STORY?

The best LitRPG with unique MC powers features vastly creative ideas that are put up against an interesting and oftentimes innovative LitRPG system. While the ladder is not required, this is true for the bestselling LitRPG currently in the Amazon store. More times than not, a big idea alone is not enough to make a remarkable story. While it can be difficult to find balance and keep the reader’s attention, when the author applies the correct ingredients, it makes for a memorable story.   

WHAT SUB-GENRE OF LITRPG WORKS WELL WITH UNIQUE MC POWERS?

Progression fantasy LitRPG stories that feature weak-to-strong MCs work well. This is because many of these stories have some type of progression system that showcases the characters abilities in creative ways. Consequently, readers will be more likely to follow a protagonist that they can relate with and feel connected to.

IS THERE A LITRPG WITH UNIQUE MC POWERS COMMUNITY?

Want to talk about LitRPG with Unique MC Powers? The LitRPG Forum | Facebook is a good place to talk about these stories. Level Up also has a WhatsApp group to recommend books to each other and chat about all kinds of LitRPG, just request a link via the form at the bottom of this page.

Want to be an Arc reader? Email me at: trevor.wells@levelup.pub