{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/deck-building--family-progression","type":"mechanic","id":"deck-building--family-progression","lang":"en","title":"Routes, runs and metaprogression","summary":"The route and run rules determine when cards can be bought, acquired, upgraded or removed.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/deck-building--family-progression/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/deck-building--family-progression.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/deck-building--family-progression.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Deck building","Systems and context"],"sourceIds":["source-d5a8bf9da86c6870","source-1894d113a4c40312","source-ea407a6c37045737"],"sources":[{"id":"source-d5a8bf9da86c6870","title":"Slay the Spire · Mega Crit description","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/646570/Slay_the_Spire/","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-1894d113a4c40312","title":"Griftlands description of Klei","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/601840/Griftlands/","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-ea407a6c37045737","title":"Monster Train","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"The external structure determines when and how the player can change the deck."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-progression-variants\"></a>\n\n- Route choice. Rule: Different paths give access to different markets, rewards, upgrades, clearing and dangers. <a id=\"variant-progression-01\"></a>\n- Risk-reward encounter. Rule: A more dangerous encounter promises better cards, more options, or stronger external modifiers. <a id=\"variant-progression-02\"></a>\n- Deck events. Rule: Outside of combat, the player makes decisions about adding, removing, trading, copying, or converting cards. <a id=\"variant-progression-03\"></a>\n- Run persistence. Rule: Deck composition, upgrades, and associated restrictions persist throughout the encounter sequence. <a id=\"variant-progression-04\"></a>\n- Run reset. Rule: After the attempt is completed, the current build disappears completely or in the part specified by the rules. <a id=\"variant-progression-05\"></a>\n- Unlocks. Rule: Progress makes new cards, classes, events or sets available in future attempts. <a id=\"variant-progression-06\"></a>\n- Persistent upgrades. Rule: Between attempts, strength bonuses, starting resources or improvements are saved; This is a separate version of metaprogression. <a id=\"variant-progression-07\"></a>\n- Campaign / legacy. Rule: Decisions change future starting decks, available pool, cards, and rules of several related games. <a id=\"variant-progression-08\"></a>\n- Mutators. Rule: Special modes change the starting deck, restrictions, prices, draw, or other construction and application rules. <a id=\"variant-progression-09\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Design taxonomy of basic rules and options, including card operations and external systems. The number of entries is not a generally accepted classification of independent mechanics."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"deck-building","id":"family-progression","title":"Deck building","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/deck-building/#family-progression","categoryIds":["section-3"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Routes, runs and metaprogression","description":"The route and run rules determine when cards can be bought, acquired, upgraded or removed.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/monster-train-route.webp","width":1440,"height":810,"game":"Monster Train","sourceUrl":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/","originalUrl":"https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/1102190/ss_622feb3c33c2c6cd07dc8bab01809183e0b9dce0.1920x1080.jpg?t=1779381275","credit":"Shiny Shoe / Good Shepherd Entertainment","rights":"© 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved.","caption":"Route nodes provide opportunities to change the deck","alt":"Route nodes provide opportunities to change the deck","markers":[{"x":48,"y":53,"label":"Choosing a branch changes the available stops"}]},"tips":["Show upcoming deck-building opportunities along the route."],"examples":[{"title":"Monster Train","url":"https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/deck-building"}}