Hero Progression

Relevant source files

The following files were used as context for generating this wiki page:

• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/HeroClass.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/HeroSubClass.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Talent.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/abilities/ArmorAbility.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/ui/changelist/v0_9_X_Changes.java
• core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/ui/changelist/v2_X_Changes.java

Hero progression encompasses the various mechanics by which the player character grows in power and specialization throughout a run. This includes gaining experience and levels, increasing core attributes, and making significant choices regarding class, talents, and abilities. These systems are primarily managed within the Hero class, which serves as the central hub for all player character data and state changes.

The progression is marked by several key milestones: starting with a base HeroClass, choosing a HeroSubClass after defeating the fourth boss, and selecting a powerful ArmorAbility after defeating the fifth boss. Layered on top of this is the Talent system, which provides incremental bonuses and new abilities as the hero levels up.

This diagram illustrates the main components of the hero's progression system and their relationships.

Leveling and Experience

The most fundamental form of progression is leveling up by gaining experience (XP). The hero gains XP primarily by defeating enemies. The process is managed by the earnExp method in the Hero class.

Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:1010-1061

Experience Gain Flow

The following diagram shows the logic flow when a hero earns experience.

Key Leveling Mechanics

• Max Level: The hero's level is capped at 30.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:82
• XP per Level: The experience required to level up is calculated by the maxExp() method, which returns 5 + lvl * 5.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:1062-1064
• Level Up Bonuses: Upon leveling up, the hero's attackSkill and defenseSkill each increase by one, and their maximum health (HT) is recalculated. The player also gains a talent point to spend.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:1053-1055

Core Attributes

The hero's combat effectiveness is determined by several core attributes that increase during progression.

Health (HP/HT)

• HT (Max Health): The hero's maximum health. It is recalculated upon leveling up. The formula is (20 + 5 * (lvl - 1) + HTBoost) * RingOfMightMultiplier.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:204-215
• HP (Current Health): The hero's current health, which cannot exceed HT.

Strength (STR)

• Base STR: The hero starts with a base strength of 10. Strength is increased by consuming Potions of Strength.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:84
• Effective STR: The STR() method calculates the hero's effective strength, which includes bonuses from items like the Ring of Might, buffs like Adrenaline Surge, and talents like Strongman.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:224-238

Attack and Defense Skills

• attackSkill: A base value used in accuracy calculations. It starts at 10 and increases by 1 with each level.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:87, 1054
• defenseSkill: A base value used in evasion calculations. It starts at 5 and increases by 1 with each level.
  Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:88, 1055

Major Progression Milestones

Throughout a run, the player makes several key choices that define their hero's build.

Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/ui/changelist/v0_9_X_Changes.java:179-184, 199-204

Class and Subclass Selection

Every run begins with a chosen HeroClass. After defeating the fourth boss, Tengu, the player is prompted to choose one of two HeroSubClass specializations.

Hero Class	Subclass 1	Subclass 2
WARRIOR	GLADIATOR	BERSERKER
MAGE	BATTLEMAGE	WARLOCK
ROGUE	ASSASSIN	FREERUNNER
HUNTRESS	SNIPER	WARDEN
DUELIST	CHAMPION	MONK
CLERIC	PALADIN	PRIEST

Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/HeroSubClass.java:28-85, core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/ui/changelist/v0_9_X_Changes.java:200

Talents

Talents are passive bonuses or abilities that the hero gains by spending talent points earned from leveling up. The talent system is divided into four tiers, each unlocked at a specific level range.

Tier	Level Range	Points per Level	Max Points per Talent	Notes
1	2-6	1	2	General utility talents.
2	7-12	1	2	More powerful, class-specific talents.
3	13-20	1	3	Subclass-specific talents.
4	21-30	1	4	Armor ability-specific talents.

The number of available talent points is calculated by the talentPointsAvailable(int tier) method in Hero.java. This method checks the hero's level against the tier thresholds and subtracts any points already spent.
Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Talent.java:51-56, core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:284-298

Armor Abilities

After defeating the fifth boss, the Dwarf King, the player chooses one of three powerful ArmorAbility options. These abilities consume armor energy to use and can be further enhanced by investing in Tier 4 talents. The chosen ability is stored in the armorAbility field of the Hero object.

Each armor ability has three associated talents, plus a shared talent (HEROIC_ENERGY) that improves charge speed.
Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/ui/changelist/v0_9_X_Changes.java:179-184, core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:89, core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/abilities/ArmorAbility.java:56-58

Data Persistence

Hero progression data is stored and retrieved via the storeInBundle and restoreFromBundle methods in the Hero class. This includes level, experience, stats, class choices, and spent talent points, ensuring the character's state is preserved across game sessions.

// core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:245-271
@Override
public void storeInBundle( Bundle bundle ) {

    super.storeInBundle( bundle );

    bundle.put( CLASS, heroClass );
    bundle.put( SUBCLASS, subClass );
    bundle.put( ABILITY, armorAbility );
    Talent.storeTalentsInBundle( bundle, this );
    
    bundle.put( ATTACK, attackSkill );
    bundle.put( DEFENSE, defenseSkill );
    
    bundle.put( STRENGTH, STR );
    
    bundle.put( LEVEL, lvl );
    bundle.put( EXPERIENCE, exp );
    
    bundle.put( HTBOOST, HTBoost );

    belongings.storeInBundle( bundle );
}

Sources: core/src/main/java/com/shatteredpixel/shatteredpixeldungeon/actors/hero/Hero.java:245-271