In Defense of Training Arcs

"This is filler." "Skip the training." "Get to the action already."

I'm here to argue: training arcs are often the best part. And I'll defend that position.

The Core Appeal

Effort matters. Watching characters work for their power is deeply satisfying in ways that sudden power-ups never are.

Growth is visible. We see the before and after. We understand exactly how they improved.

Low stakes, high engagement. Training means temporary safety from life-threatening danger while constant progress happens.

Technique is shown. Training reveals HOW powers actually work, not just that they do.

Character development happens naturally. Downtime reveals personality, builds relationships, establishes motivation.

Anticipation builds. We know this training will pay off, and we can't wait to see how.

Why Some People Hate Them

Impatience. They want action and conflict NOW, not later.

Poor execution. Badly written training arcs are genuinely boring. But so are badly written fight scenes.

No apparent stakes. Nothing seems at risk during training.

Repetitive content. Training the same skill repeatedly without variety.

These are valid criticisms—of bad training arcs. Good ones don't have these problems.

What Makes Training Arcs Actually Work

Clear, Measurable Progress

We need to see improvement. In LitRPG, that's numbers. In cultivation, that's realm advancement. In regular fantasy, that's demonstrated capability. Show us the growth concretely.

Character Moments

Training with others creates bonding opportunities. Training alone creates introspection moments. The best arcs use both—social training and solo practice.

Varied Methods

Don't just repeat "he practiced the sword for weeks." Show different techniques, different challenges, different approaches. Each training session should feel distinct.

Stakes-Adjacent Purpose

Training for something specific. A tournament. An approaching threat. A deadline. The training has clear purpose beyond generic improvement.

Setup for Satisfying Payoff

Everything learned in training should be used later. Every technique, every insight, every discovered limitation. Training is setup, not filler—and readers should feel that.

Struggle and Failure

Easy training is boring training. Show the difficulty. Show failed attempts. Show frustration before breakthrough.

Peak Training Arc Examples

Dragon Ball Z (Hyperbolic Time Chamber) - Compressed training with clear power jumps and character isolation that forces growth.

Naruto (Sage Training) - Character development alongside power development. Naruto becomes different, not just stronger.

Hunter x Hunter (Heaven's Arena) - Training disguised as tournament. Stakes and growth simultaneously.

Karate Kid (Wax on, wax off) - Mysterious training methodology with satisfying reveal. We didn't know what we were learning until we did.

Rocky (Every movie) - Training montage as emotional journey. The running, the punching, the getting up.

Training in Progression Fantasy

Training arcs are basically the point of the genre:

Cradle: Lindon's constant training IS the appeal. Every advancement is earned through shown effort.

Cultivation novels: Years in closed-door cultivation is fundamental to the genre. Readers expect it.

LitRPG: Grinding skills IS training, just gamified. The genre embraces repetition.

Progression fantasy readers literally signed up for this. Training is the main attraction.

The Pacing Balance

Training needs appropriate rhythm:

• Short training between major events = good pacing, maintains momentum
• Extended training arc = needs excellent execution to justify length
• Training montage = appropriate for minor growth, skip the repetitive details
• Detailed training sequences = reserved for major power shifts and breakthroughs

Not all training deserves equal page time.

Writing Great Training Sequences

Show the struggle. Easy training is boring training. Make it hard.

Vary the methods. Different approaches to the same goal keep it fresh.

Include failure. Setbacks make eventual success sweeter.

Use time jumps strategically. Skip the truly repetitive parts while showing key moments.

Make it social. Training partners, mentors, rivals, observers. Training alone too long gets dull.

Connect to character. Why does this character need this specific growth? What does it mean to them?

Generating Training-Focused Stories

narrator handles training content well:

• "Progression story with detailed training sequences"
• "Cultivation novel focused on the cultivation journey itself"
• "Fantasy academy with emphasis on skill development and growth"
• "Martial arts story with varied training methods"

Readers who love training arcs REALLY love them. Specify what you want.

The Appreciation

Training arcs represent what makes progression fantasy special: the journey matters as much as the destination. Maybe more.

Not every reader wants this. That's fine—skip to the fights if you prefer.

But for those of us who do? A well-executed training arc is pure satisfaction. Your character earning their power step by step, technique by technique, breakthrough by breakthrough.

That's the good stuff.