--- 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 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 --- # Routes, runs and metaprogression id: deck-building--family-progression type: mechanic key: mechanic/deck-building--family-progression lang: en status: active url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/deck-building--family-progression/ The route and run rules determine when cards can be bought, acquired, upgraded or removed. ## At a glance ![Route nodes provide opportunities to change the deck](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/monster-train-route.webp) [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) · © 2020 Shiny Shoe LLC. All rights reserved. 1. Choosing a branch changes the available stops - Show upcoming deck-building opportunities along the route. - [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) ## How it works The external structure determines when and how the player can change the deck. ## Variants ### Variants and applications - Route choice. Rule: Different paths give access to different markets, rewards, upgrades, clearing and dangers. - Risk-reward encounter. Rule: A more dangerous encounter promises better cards, more options, or stronger external modifiers. - Deck events. Rule: Outside of combat, the player makes decisions about adding, removing, trading, copying, or converting cards. - Run persistence. Rule: Deck composition, upgrades, and associated restrictions persist throughout the encounter sequence. - Run reset. Rule: After the attempt is completed, the current build disappears completely or in the part specified by the rules. - Unlocks. Rule: Progress makes new cards, classes, events or sets available in future attempts. - Persistent upgrades. Rule: Between attempts, strength bonuses, starting resources or improvements are saved; This is a separate version of metaprogression. - Campaign / legacy. Rule: Decisions change future starting decks, available pool, cards, and rules of several related games. - Mutators. Rule: Special modes change the starting deck, restrictions, prices, draw, or other construction and application rules. ## Context and limits 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. ## Connected materials ## Sources and 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. - [Slay the Spire · Mega Crit description](https://store.steampowered.com/app/646570/Slay_the_Spire/) (id: source-d5a8bf9da86c6870) - [Griftlands description of Klei](https://store.steampowered.com/app/601840/Griftlands/) (id: source-1894d113a4c40312) - [Monster Train](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1102190/) (id: source-ea407a6c37045737) CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors