I'm fairly new to LitRPG; I've read through DCC, book 1 of HWFWM (plan to finish), and I'm almost done with book 11 of Unbound by Nicoli Gonnella.
DCC I feel is a rather "system-lite" story, where the system doesn't really have a strong driving factor in conflict resolution (though it's definitely it's own character), but the system in Unbound started rather strong but as the story has progressed seems to only pop up at certain points as a deus-ex-road-block. HWFWM seems good on that front, with the six skill limit, but I've seen others talk about that kind of getting hand waved as well later in the story, so while I'm still wanting to get through the series I imagine I'll run into the same situation.
Can someone recommend a series where the system is less flexible for overpowered MC's, so they still have to use strategy or unique approaches to problem resolution rather than just brute forcing them? I enjoy power fantasy as much as the next person but I kind of want to see a power fantasy built around intelligence and less force-of-will or strength.
EDIT: Answering automod questions;
Platform:
Audible, I know that's going to cut down recommendations, but I'm kinda stuck with just that for now due to busy life/schedule/etc.
Already Read:
- Unbound by Nicoli Gonnella
- Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
- Book 1 of He Who Fights with Monsters (plan to finish)
- A few chapters of Wandering Inn (going through it between audible credits)
What I liked:
- Problem resolution built around intelligence, out of the box thinking, or unique approaches to situations. Prime example; Carl building a giant cage around everyone using his collected scrap to beat the rolling ball of orcs in book 1 or 2
- Interesting and capable supporting cast. DCC is a perfect example, but Unbound also has a full cast of supporting characters who are all equally competent within their realms of expertise
- Generally a good main character; DCC and Unbound both have characters who are just good people trying to help everyone they can.
What I do not like:
- Deus Ex Luck
- Brute force "Strength of will"; one of Unbound's biggest flaws in my opinion is how many fights/problems are resolved by the main character just "willing" stronger than his opponent, even if it's justified by stats/boons/etc
- Edgy, nihilistic, "morally grey", or otherwise "legally distinct evil" main characters
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Hell Difficulty Tutorial has a lot of guardrails with its 10 active-skill/5 passive-skill limit and skills/builds that will kinda just kill you. Moving up rarities is also really difficult.
Primal Hunter’s stats don’t really matter anymore (they’re in the 10ks and scale wildly differently based on race/grade), but skills still seem to matter. There are times when MC struggles for skill upgrades, has to be trained, or has to be creative etc. He’s also a crafter (alchemist) which has its own set of skills.
Persimmon’s Occultist Isekai and Hocus Pocus Hypothesis are still early but skills are mostly a grind. TBD whether it stays that way but it’s a pretty crunchy start.
Edit: Only saw your edit after posting so fwiw you may not love Hell Difficulty or Primal Hunter if you don’t like edgier MCs lol
Primal Hunter's on my wishlist in audible, so I think that's gonna be what I start with next.
And yeah, Unbound's main character has stats in the 10k's at this point too and they don't really matter at all. Story's still fun and interesting, but it's a little disappointing that the system started so strong and then just kind of became a handicap.
Like, the main character went from having unique skills from a sort of "blue mage" style methodology to having top-rarity skills that just dumb down to "mana manipulation" and "elemental shaping" and "channel offensive skill through weapon", so there's no real uniqueness now the MC just waves his hand and enemy spells/skills disappear or his punch does acid damage or lightning damage now.
Hell Difficulty Tutorial kind of breaks the OP's doesn't like "[e]dgy, nihilistic, "morally grey", or otherwise "legally distinct evil" main characters" rule as thee MC is a psychopath.
Oof, yeah that one isn't a super hard requirement, but if he'd be described a psychopath than yeah I'll pass.
Apocalypse Parenting (finished part published)
Worth the Candle (finished part published)
Industrial Strength Magic (finished) - MC's skills mostly buff his creations so his skills aren't directly applicable usually, but it does meet your other criteria
Mother of Learning, Worm by Wildbow (finished) - not Litrpgs but both meet your other criteria, though Worm is pretty dark
Natural Laws Apocalypse might be a good pick. It has a fully party the entire way through that is the top of the curve for the survivors but are very small fish in the scheme of things and are barely kept a pace with the challenges and never ahead of them. They do a lot of dungeon dives with some puzzles mixed in and a bit of settlement building. Ending was a little rushed but it does come to a definitive end.
I know it won't work for a recommendation, but the story I've been writing on royal road would be if it were an audio book. The system matters the whole time. There is no cheering the system and it definitely isn't there to serve or support any of the characters.
The characters aren't edge lords or psychotic individuals, but they do have to deal with morally grey things.
When/if I am ever able to complete enough books to get on Amazon then feel free to look it up
The Portal Apocalypse Sucks!
Beneath the Dragoneye Moons and Apocalypse Redux both fit your criteria pretty well I think.
You also might like Mark of the Fool, very much fits the problem resolution built around intelligence and out of the both thinking, with the caveat that it's prog fantasy rather than litRPG.