What to Read After Defiance of the Fall: 7 Epic LitRPG & Progression Alternatives
Finished Defiance of the Fall and need more system apocalypse, cultivation, and constant progression? Here are the best similar novels that capture that same grind.
You finished Defiance of the Fall. Or you're caught up. Zac's journey from solo survivor to empire builder, the constant progression, the cultivation elements—it's all done (or ongoing).
Now what?
Here's what to read when you need more system apocalypse, cultivation, constant progression, and that satisfying grind from weak to strong.
What Made Defiance of the Fall Work
Before recommendations, understand what you're chasing:
- System apocalypse where Earth integrates with a multiverse
- Cultivation elements mixed with LitRPG mechanics
- Constant progression with visible power gains
- Solo journey initially, then empire-building
- Long-running series with room to develop
- Grind focus where effort equals advancement
- High stakes with real consequences
Different stories scratch different parts of this. DoTF hit a particular combination of system apocalypse, cultivation, and progression that's hard to replicate.
The Closest Matches
The Primal Hunter (Zogarth)
Status: Ongoing
System apocalypse with a solo-focused MC. Jake starts alone in a tutorial zone and must survive. Fast progression, great system mechanics, satisfying power gains. Very similar to DoTF in progression focus.
Similar: System apocalypse, fast progression, solo MC initially, great mechanics, ongoing Different: Less cultivation, more pure LitRPG, different tone
Where to read: Royal Road, Kindle Unlimited
Why it works: If you loved the system apocalypse and progression, Primal Hunter delivers constant advancement with a similar solo journey.
He Who Fights With Monsters (Shirtaloon)
Status: Ongoing
System-based progression with humor and great characters. Jason is transported to another world with game-like mechanics. Similar progression focus with more character development.
Similar: System mechanics, progression focus, ongoing, found family Different: World-hopping instead of system apocalypse, more humor, different tone
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the progression and system mechanics, HWFWM delivers with more character focus.
Want more HWFWM recommendations? Check out our complete guide.
Unbound (Nicoli Gonnella)
Status: Ongoing
System apocalypse with empire-building elements. Felix starts alone and must survive, then build. Similar progression focus with base-building elements.
Similar: System apocalypse, progression focus, empire-building, ongoing Different: Less cultivation, more base-building, different character voice
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the progression and empire-building elements, Unbound has similar mechanics with less cultivation.
Azarinth Healer (Rhaegar)
Status: Completed
LitRPG where the MC is transported to a game-like world. Ilea becomes a healer who fights on the front lines. Fast progression, great system mechanics, and a completed story.
Similar: System mechanics, fast progression, solo journey, completed Different: Game world instead of system apocalypse, different tone, completed
Where to read: Royal Road, possibly Kindle Unlimited
Why it works: If you loved the progression and system mechanics, Azarinth Healer delivers with a completed story.
Cultivation Alternatives
Cradle (Will Wight)
Status: Completed (12 books)
Progression fantasy masterpiece. Lindon starts as the weakest in his clan and works his way up through clear power stages. Fast pacing, great action, found family dynamics.
Similar: Clear progression system, underdog MC, training focus, satisfying advancement, completed Different: Pure cultivation instead of LitRPG, no system apocalypse, faster pacing
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the cultivation and progression elements, Cradle is the standard for English cultivation fiction.
Want more Cradle recommendations? Check out our complete guide.
Forge of Destiny (Yrsillar)
Status: Ongoing
Cultivation web fiction with fantastic worldbuilding. Female MC, more political and slice-of-life than pure progression, but excellent character growth and clear advancement stages.
Similar: Cultivation, clear progression, character growth, ongoing Different: More slice-of-life, less action-focused, different tone
Where to read: Royal Road, Sufficient Velocity forums
Why it works: If you loved the cultivation elements, Forge of Destiny delivers with more character focus.
A Thousand Li (Tao Wong)
Status: Ongoing
English-language cultivation done well. MC joins a sect, climbs ranks. Traditional cultivation structure with clear progression.
Similar: Cultivation stages, clear progression, sect politics, ongoing Different: More traditional cultivation, slower pace, different tone
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the cultivation elements, A Thousand Li delivers traditional cultivation done well in English.
System Apocalypse Alternatives
Dungeon Crawler Carl (Matt Dinniman)
Status: Ongoing
System apocalypse where Earth becomes a dungeon. Carl and his cat Princess Donut must survive floor by floor. Absurd humor, constant stakes, and a protagonist who uses creativity over raw power.
Similar: System apocalypse, constant progression, ongoing Different: More humor, dungeon-focused, different tone
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the system apocalypse concept, DCC delivers with more humor and a different approach.
Want more DCC recommendations? Check out our complete guide.
System Apocalypse (Tao Wong)
Status: Completed (12 books)
The series that named the subgenre. System apocalypse where Earth gets game-like mechanics. Multiple POVs, survival focus, and a protagonist who must adapt.
Similar: System apocalypse, survival focus, progression, completed Different: Less cultivation, more serious, multiple POVs, different tone
Where to read: Kindle Unlimited, Audible
Why it works: If you loved the system apocalypse concept, this is the foundational series that established it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Series | System Apocalypse | Cultivation | Progression Focus | Status | Similarity to DoTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Primal Hunter | Yes | No | Very High | Ongoing | Very High |
| He Who Fights With Monsters | No | No | High | Ongoing | High (progression) |
| Unbound | Yes | No | Very High | Ongoing | High (system + progression) |
| Azarinth Healer | No | No | Very High | Completed | High (progression) |
| Cradle | No | Yes | Very High | Completed | High (cultivation) |
| Forge of Destiny | No | Yes | High | Ongoing | Medium (cultivation) |
| A Thousand Li | No | Yes | High | Ongoing | Medium (cultivation) |
| Dungeon Crawler Carl | Yes | No | High | Ongoing | Medium (system apocalypse) |
| System Apocalypse | Yes | No | High | Completed | Medium (system apocalypse) |
What to Read Based on What You Loved
If you loved the system apocalypse and progression:
- Start with The Primal Hunter (very similar progression focus)
- Then try Unbound (empire-building elements)
If you loved the cultivation elements:
- Start with Cradle (the cultivation standard)
- Then try Forge of Destiny (more character-focused)
If you loved the constant progression and grind:
- Start with Azarinth Healer (fast progression, completed)
- Then try The Primal Hunter (constant advancement)
If you loved the solo journey and empire-building:
- Start with Unbound (similar empire-building)
- Then try System Apocalypse (survival focus)
If you loved everything:
- Start with The Primal Hunter (closest overall match)
- Then try Cradle (for the cultivation elements)
Where to Find These
Most of these are available on:
- Kindle Unlimited: The Primal Hunter, He Who Fights With Monsters, Unbound, Cradle, A Thousand Li, Dungeon Crawler Carl, System Apocalypse
- Royal Road: The Primal Hunter, Azarinth Healer, Forge of Destiny
- Audible: Most have audiobook versions
Create Your Own DoTF-Style Story
Can't find exactly what you want? narrator can generate system apocalypse with cultivation elements:
- "System apocalypse with cultivation and constant progression"
- "LitRPG with empire-building and solo journey"
- "Progression fantasy with system mechanics and grind focus"
You can get the exact combination of system apocalypse, cultivation, and progression you're craving.
Browse our collection: System Apocalypse novels | Cultivation | Progression Fantasy
The Post-DoTF Journey
Defiance of the Fall was special. The combination of system apocalypse, cultivation, and constant progression created something that resonated with a lot of readers.
You won't find an exact replacement. But the system apocalypse and progression fantasy genres have exploded. There's more good content than ever.
My advice: don't try to replace DoTF immediately. Let it settle. Then pick something from this list based on which elements you're craving most. If it's the progression, start with The Primal Hunter. If it's the cultivation, try Cradle. If it's the system apocalypse, check out System Apocalypse.
The void after finishing (or catching up with) a beloved series is real. But your progression fantasy journey continues. Pick something from this list and start reading. By chapter ten, you'll have a new obsession.
Zac's story continues, but your next adventure is just beginning.