---
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-31
type: mechanic
id: roguelike--family-31
lang: en
title: Metaprogression between runs
summary: >-
  Some progress survives the end of a run. New options change future attempts,
  even when the current one ends in defeat.
updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-31/'
jsonUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-31.json
markdownUrl: >-
  https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/roguelike--family-31.md
aliases:
  - Progress between runs
tags:
  - Roguelikes and roguelites
  - Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
  - source-7f09c8a736762f4f
sources:
  - id: source-7f09c8a736762f4f
    title: Slay the Spire
    url: 'https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/'
    verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
  - catalogId: roguelike
    id: family-31
    title: Roguelikes and roguelites
    url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/roguelike/#family-31'
    categoryIds:
      - section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
  preview:
    updatedAt: '2026-10-21'
    title: Progress between runs
    description: >-
      Some progress survives the end of a run. New options change future
      attempts, even when the current one ends in defeat.
    image:
      src: images/mechanics/slay-the-spire-unlocks.webp
      width: 1440
      height: 810
      game: Slay the Spire
      sourceUrl: 'https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/'
      originalUrl: 'https://www.megacrit.com/images/ss20.jpg'
      credit: Mega Crit
      rights: © Mega Crit. All rights reserved.
      caption: Cards unlocked for future runs
      alt: >-
        Slay the Spire: an unlock screen states that the new cards will appear
        in future runs.
      markers:
        - x: 50
          'y': 24
          label: The unlock persists between attempts
        - x: 50
          'y': 80
          label: The new cards become available in future runs
    tips:
      - Distinguish new play options from mandatory power growth.
      - Explain what carries over before the attempt ends.
    examples:
      - title: Slay the Spire
        url: 'https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/'
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/roguelike
---
# Metaprogression between runs

id: roguelike--family-31
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/roguelike--family-31
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/roguelike--family-31/

Some progress survives the end of a run. New options change future attempts, even when the current one ends in defeat.

## At a glance

![Slay the Spire: an unlock screen states that the new cards will appear in future runs.](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/slay-the-spire-unlocks.webp)

[Slay the Spire](https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/) · © Mega Crit. All rights reserved.

1. The unlock persists between attempts
2. The new cards become available in future runs

- Distinguish new play options from mandatory power growth.
- Explain what carries over before the attempt ends.

- [Slay the Spire](https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/)

## How it works

Progress between attempts changes future possibilities; its presence and extent depend on the chosen roguelike model.

## Variants

### Variants and applications

<a id="family-31-variants"></a>

- Constantly improving performance <a id="variant-roguelike-31-01"></a>
- Permanent upgrade tree <a id="variant-roguelike-31-02"></a>
- Unlocking new characters <a id="variant-roguelike-31-03"></a>
- Unlocking Weapons and Starter Kits <a id="variant-roguelike-31-04"></a>
- Unlocking new items in the loot pool <a id="variant-roguelike-31-05"></a>
- Discovering new abilities and development options <a id="variant-roguelike-31-06"></a>
- Unlocking biomes, events and bosses <a id="variant-roguelike-31-07"></a>
- Development of the central base <a id="variant-roguelike-31-08"></a>
- The emergence of new services between runs <a id="variant-roguelike-31-09"></a>
- Constant currency <a id="variant-roguelike-31-10"></a>
- Upgrading individual weapons through mastery <a id="variant-roguelike-31-11"></a>
- The following characters' inheritance bonuses <a id="variant-roguelike-31-12"></a>
- Saving some characters or property <a id="variant-roguelike-31-13"></a>
- Collections that provide in-game advantages <a id="variant-roguelike-31-14"></a>
- Ability to disable previously opened content <a id="variant-roguelike-31-15"></a>
- Prestige or resetting constant progress for new conditions <a id="variant-roguelike-31-16"></a>

## Context and limits

A wide author's map of classic turn-based roguelikes, modern roguelites and hybrids. Families describe options for organizing a run, and not mandatory features of the genre. Constant metaprogression is not found in all roguelikes. Related systems can be combined; the list is not a closed standard.

## 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](https://www.megacrit.com/press-kits/slay-the-spire/) (id: source-7f09c8a736762f4f)

CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors