Gameplay Loop & Examples

Gameplay Loop & Server Examples

This page demonstrates how the Relic system creates engaging gameplay loops and provides complete examples of how server owners might implement progression paths for their players.

Core Gameplay Flow

flowchart TD
    Start[Player Obtains Tool] --> HasCatalyst{Has Catalyst?}
    HasCatalyst -->|Yes| Awaken[Awaken Relic]
    HasCatalyst -->|No| HasCatalyst
    Awaken --> UseRelic[Use Relic]
    UseRelic --> GainRenown[Gain Renown]
    GainRenown --> LevelUp{Level Up?}
    LevelUp -->|No| UseRelic
    LevelUp -->|Yes| UnlockSocket[Unlock Socket]
    UnlockSocket --> HasInscription{Has Inscription?}
    HasInscription -->|No| UseRelic
    HasInscription -->|Yes| OpenGUI[Open GUI]
    OpenGUI --> EnoughEssence{Enough Essence?}
    EnoughEssence -->|No| UseRelic
    EnoughEssence -->|Yes| Install[Install Inscription]
    Install --> Stronger[Relic is Stronger!]
    Stronger --> UseRelic

Key Steps:

🎯 Awaken - Transform tool into relic
⚡ Use - Gain renown through normal gameplay
🔓 Unlock - Level up opens new sockets
📜 Install - Add inscriptions for power
🔄 Repeat - Continuous progression

Example Server Progression Paths

Example 1: Mining-Focused RPG Server

Goal: Guide players from basic mining to legendary excavation master

Early Game: The First Relic

Players start their journey by obtaining their first relic catalyst:
- Complete a starter quest (configured by server)
- Purchase from shop/NPC
- Find in loot chests
- Receive as login reward
Awakening the Pickaxe

Player uses the catalyst on their diamond pickaxe, awakening it as a Relic.
- Pickaxe becomes “Nascent Mining Relic”
- Starts at Level 0
- 15 Essence Capacity (diamond tier)
- No sockets yet
First Levels (1-5): Learning the Craft

Player mines normally, gaining Renown:
- Stone: 1 Renown per block
- Iron Ore: 3 Renown per block
- Coal Ore: 3 Renown per block
At Level 5: First socket unlocks!

Available Inscriptions (unlocked by default):
- Swift Mining I (2 essence) - +10% mining speed
- Efficiency Boost (3 essence) - +1 to Efficiency enchantment
Player installs: Swift Mining I (leaves 13/15 essence)
Mid Game (15-30): Becoming Efficient

At Level 15: Second socket unlocks!

New inscriptions available:
- Fortune Glyph (5 essence) - +1 Fortune
- Auto-Smelt (4 essence) - Smelts ores automatically
(Server can configure these to unlock via level, quests, discoveries, etc.)

Player installs: Fortune Glyph (uses 5 essence, now 7/15 used)
Late Game (30-50): Master Miner

At Level 30: Third socket unlocks!

Unlock legendary inscription:
- Defeat bosses (Ender Dragon, Wither, etc.)
- Complete challenging quests
- Reach specific relic levels
- Server-configured unlock methods
Player installs: Vein Miner (6 essence, now 13/15 used)

Final Build:
- Socket 1: Swift Mining I (2 essence)
- Socket 2: Fortune Glyph (5 essence)
- Socket 3: Vein Miner (6 essence)
- Total: 13/15 essence used
End Game (50+): Legendary Status

At Level 50: Fourth socket unlocks!

But player has only 2 essence remaining… time to make choices!

Options:
- Remove Swift Mining I → Add Magnetic Pull (3 essence)
- Save for future inscriptions
- Create a new specialized relic for different purposes

Example 2: Combat-Focused Adventure Server

Goal: Create a progression path for warrior players

Prove Your Strength

Player earns catalyst through combat:
- Defeat 100+ hostile mobs
- Complete warrior trial quest
- Purchase from battle master NPC
Awaken the Blade

Player awakens their netherite sword as a combat relic:
- 20 Essence Capacity (netherite tier)
- Gains 5 Renown per kill (base)
- Gains 20 Renown per player kill
- Gains 100+ Renown per legendary Pokémon kill
Early Combat (Levels 1-15)

Level 5 - First Socket:
- Install: Keen Edge (2 essence) - +2 damage
Level 15 - Second Socket:
- Unlock: Vampiric Strike (via damage taken milestone)
- Install: Vampiric Strike (5 essence) - 20% lifesteal
Mid Combat (Levels 15-30)

Level 30 - Third Socket:
- Unlock: Flamestrike (via Outbreak participation or boss defeat)
- Install: Flamestrike (4 essence) - 25% fire on hit
Current Build: 11/20 essence used
Late Combat (Levels 30-50)

Legendary Inscription Chain:
- Defeat legendary Pokémon (Birds, Beasts, etc.)
- Unlock: Chain Lightning (8 essence)
Level 50 - Fourth Socket:
- Install: Chain Lightning - Chain damage on crit
Final Build: 19/20 essence (perfectly optimized!)

Example 3: Multi-Tool Specialist Server

Goal: Encourage players to build multiple specialized relics

Philosophy: Specialized Tools

Instead of one god-tier tool, players collect multiple relics for different purposes:
- Mining Relic (Fortune + Vein Miner)
- Combat Relic (Damage + Lifesteal)
- Farming Relic (Auto-Replant + Crop Fortune)
- Utility Relic (Speed + Reach)
Catalyst Sources

Multiple ways to obtain catalysts:
- Daily login rewards (Day 7, Day 30, etc.)
- Venture expedition rewards
- Bloom lure rare drops
- Boss defeat rewards
- Achievement/milestone unlocks
- Server shop purchases

Progression Tree

graph TD
    Main[Main Relic
Sword/Pickaxe] --> Main30[Level 30]
    Main --> Main50[Level 50]
    Main30 --> Quest2[Unlock 2nd
Catalyst Quest]
    Main50 --> Quest3[Unlock 3rd
Catalyst Quest]

    Secondary[Secondary Relic
Player Choice] --> Sec20[Level 20]
    Secondary --> Sec40[Level 40]
    Sec20 --> Specialized[Unlock Specialized
Inscriptions]
    Sec40 --> Quest4[Unlock 4th
Catalyst Quest]

    Tertiary[Tertiary Relic
Player Choice] --> Ter30[Level 30]
    Ter30 --> Title[Master Craftsman
Title]

Inscription Specialization

Create tool-specific inscriptions:
- Harvest Blessing (hoe only) - Crop yield multiplier
- Timber (axe only) - Break entire trees
- Deep Dive (fishing rod only) - Treasure bonus
- Quick Draw (bow only) - Draw speed
- Plating (armor only) - Damage reduction
Relic Collection Achievements

Reward players for collecting multiple relics:
- Relic Collector - Own 3 relics → Title reward
- Master of Relics - 5 relics above level 30 → Unlock “Omni Boost” inscription
- Jack of All Trades - One of each tool type → Special catalyst
- Legendary Armory - All slots with level 50+ relics → Unique cosmetic

Integration Showcase: Full Server Ecosystem

Complete Server Setup: “Legends of Kanto”

A Pokémon-themed RPG server utilizing all Matcha! mods with Relic as the progression core.

Phase 1: Starting Journey (Levels 1-20)

New Player Experience:

Spawn → Receive starter Journey task
Journey Task → Catch 5 Pokémon → Rewards: Relic Catalyst
Awaken → Turn starter tool into Relic
Early Gameplay → Gain Renown through normal play
Level 5 → First socket → Basic inscription (auto-unlocked)

Phase 2: Gym Challenge (Levels 20-40)

Gym Badge Integration:

Each gym badge unlocks new inscriptions:

Pewter Badge → Rock Crusher, Mining Expertise
Cerulean Badge → Aqua Affinity+, Depth Strider+
Vermilion Badge → Chain Lightning, Thunder Strike
Configure unlock requirements in inscription files

Witness Integration:

Gym battles trigger cinematic camera for dramatic moments
Epic relic level-ups can trigger cutscenes

Phase 3: Elite Four (Levels 40-60)

Outbreak Events:

Elite Four training grounds have special outbreaks
Defeating outbreak Pokémon with relic equipped grants 2x Renown
10% chance for “Champion Strike” inscription drop

Tarot Integration:

Shiny boost events during Elite Four week
Shiny Pokémon defeats grant 5x Renown to relics

Phase 4: Champion & Post-Game (Levels 60-100)

Legendary Quests:

Find Mewtwo → Journey task chain → Unlock “Psychic Surge” inscription
Defeat Mewtwo → 1000 Renown to equipped relic
Capture Mewtwo → Unlock legendary relic template “Mewtwo’s Blade”
- Essence Capacity: 30
- Starting Level: 50
- Pre-installed: Psychic Surge, Legendary Strike

Bloom Integration:

Legendary lures only work if player has Level 50+ relic
Lured Pokémon grant increased Renown

Final Build Paths:

Players choose specialization:

Shiny Hunter Build

Fortune Glyph (better drops)
Magnetic Pull (auto-collect)
Shiny Detector (highlight shinies)
Quick Capture (capture speed boost)

Battler Build

Champion Strike (damage)
Vampiric Aura (lifesteal)
Chain Lightning (AoE)
Battle Frenzy (speed on kill)

Breeder Build

Egg Fortune (more eggs)
Hatch Speed (faster hatching)
IV Boost (better IVs)
Nature Sync (desired natures)

Explorer Build

Extended Reach (longer reach)
Speed Boost (movement speed)
Treasure Hunter (better loot)
Warp Home (teleport ability)

Renown Gain Examples

Mining Relic Progression

Level	Renown Needed	Blocks to Mine (Stone)	Blocks to Mine (Diamond Ore)	Estimated Time
0→1	100	100	20	5 minutes
1→2	250	250	50	12 minutes
5→6	1,000	1,000	200	45 minutes
10→11	5,000	5,000	1,000	3 hours
20→21	25,000	25,000	5,000	15 hours
30→31	100,000	100,000	20,000	60 hours
50→51	500,000	500,000	100,000	300 hours

Note: These are rough estimates based on base renown values. Actual time varies with ore multipliers and efficiency.

Combat Relic Progression

Level	Renown Needed	Mobs to Kill (Normal)	Players to Kill	Legendary Pokémon	Estimated Time
0→1	100	20	5	1	15 minutes
1→5	1,500	300	75	15	2 hours
5→15	15,000	3,000	750	150	20 hours
15→30	150,000	30,000	7,500	1,500	200 hours
30→50	1,500,000	300,000	75,000	15,000	2,000 hours

Player Decision Points

Socket Unlock Decision Flow

When you unlock a new socket, you need to make strategic choices:

flowchart TD
    Start[Socket Unlocked! 🎉] --> Check[Check Available
Inscriptions]
    Check --> Goal{What's My Build Goal?}
    Goal -->|Combat| Combat[Combat]
    Goal -->|Utility| Utility[Utility]
    Goal -->|Efficiency| Efficiency[Efficiency]
    Combat --> Essence
    Utility --> Essence
    Efficiency --> Essence
    Essence{Enough Essence?} -->|Yes| Install[Install
Inscription]
    Essence -->|No| Compromise{How to Compromise?}
    Compromise -->|Remove Old| Remove[Remove
Old]
    Compromise -->|Pick Smaller| Pick[Pick
Smaller
One]
    Compromise -->|Save| Save[Save
For
Later]
    Remove --> Install
    Pick --> Install
    Install --> Enjoy[Enjoy New
Power! ✨]
    Save --> Wait[Wait for
Better One]

Decision Factors:

Essence remaining after install
Build synergy with existing inscriptions
Unlock requirements for desired inscriptions
Current gameplay needs vs future goals

Sample Event Calendar

Monthly Relic Events for Server Owners

Week 1: Renown Boost Week

Double all Renown gains (2x multiplier in config)

Week 2: Inscription Discovery Week

Increased inscription drops from all sources
25% inscription drop chance in Outbreaks

Week 3: Legendary Relic Week

Legendary Pokémon grant 5x Renown
Special legendary relic templates available

Week 4: Catalyst Rain

Daily catalyst login rewards
50% catalyst drop chance in Ventures

Balancing Guidelines for Server Owners

Progression Speed

Casual Server

Target: Level 50 in 50-100 hours

High base Renown values
Frequent catalysts
Many inscriptions unlocked by default
Low essence costs

Standard Server

Target: Level 50 in 150-250 hours

Balanced Renown values
Moderate catalyst availability
Inscriptions via quests
Standard essence costs

Hardcore Server

Target: Level 50 in 500+ hours

Low base Renown values
Rare catalysts
Gated inscriptions
High essence costs
Death penalties

Inscription Power Levels

Tier	Essence Cost	Power Level	Unlock Method
Common	1-2	+10% boost	Default unlocked
Uncommon	2-4	+25% boost	Early quests
Rare	4-6	+50% boost	Mid-game content
Epic	6-8	+100% boost	Late-game bosses
Legendary	8-12	Game-changing	Endgame achievements

Summary

The Relic system creates engaging gameplay loops through:

✅ Clear Progression - Visible growth from use ✅ Meaningful Choices - Socket and inscription decisions matter ✅ Multiple Paths - Combat, utility, efficiency specializations ✅ Integration - Works with all Matcha! mods ✅ Replayability - Build multiple relics with different focuses ✅ Server Events - Easy to create limited-time content

Server owners can tune progression speed, inscription availability, and integration depth to match their server’s style, from casual to hardcore.