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Spelling/grammar fix(es)
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* EmpathicWeapon: Embryos are formed by a Master's personality, and most can read the minds of their Masters.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
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* EmpathicWeapon: Arm Embryos are formed by a Master's personality, and most can read the minds of their Masters.
Masters. Though this is an ability ability all Embyros share.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Arm Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Arm Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
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* FunctionalMagic: Infinite Dendrogram uses ''[[ElementalPowers Elemental Magic]]'' that can be gained from spells magic Jobs. Attributes categorize spells into three major types. Sky Attributes have attack spells, including the [[PlayingWithFire Flame]], [[LightEmUp Light]], and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Attributes]]. [[DishingOutDirt Earth Attribute]] deals with a mix of offense and defense. Sea Attributes have a defensive spell through the [[MakingASplash Water Attribute]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Attribute]]. There are also the [[CastingAShadow Dark Attribute]] that used for crowd control and can pierce physical defense except for magic barriers and its opposite Attribute-Light.
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* FunctionalMagic: Infinite Dendrogram uses ''[[ElementalPowers Elemental Magic]]'' that Magic]]'', which can be gained from spells magic Jobs. Attributes categorize spells into three major types. Sky Attributes have attack spells, including the [[PlayingWithFire Flame]], [[LightEmUp Light]], and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Attributes]]. [[DishingOutDirt Earth Attribute]] deals with a mix of offense and defense. Sea Attributes have a defensive spell through the [[MakingASplash Water Attribute]] Water]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Attribute]]. There are also the Attributes]]. The [[CastingAShadow Dark Attribute]] is an outlier that is used for crowd control and control. It can pierce physical defense except for magic barriers and its opposite Attribute-Light.attribute, Light.
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Making a change to the bullet list.
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* FunctionalMagic: Infinite Dendrogram uses ''[[ElementalPowers Elemental Magic]]'' that can be gained from spells magic Jobs. Attributes categorize spells into three major types. Sky Attributes have attack spells, including the [[PlayingWithFire Flame]],[[LightEmUp Light]], and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Attributes]]. [[DishingOutDirt Earth Attribute]] deals with a mix of offense and defense. Sea Attributes have a defensive spell through the [[MakingASplash Water Attribute]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Attribute]]. There are also the [[CastingAShadow Dark Attribute]] that used for crowd control and can pierce physical defense except for magic barriers and its opposite Attribute-Light.
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* FunctionalMagic: Infinite Dendrogram uses ''[[ElementalPowers Elemental Magic]]'' that can be gained from spells magic Jobs. Attributes categorize spells into three major types. Sky Attributes have attack spells, including the [[PlayingWithFire Flame]],[[LightEmUp Flame]], [[LightEmUp Light]], and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Attributes]]. [[DishingOutDirt Earth Attribute]] deals with a mix of offense and defense. Sea Attributes have a defensive spell through the [[MakingASplash Water Attribute]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Attribute]]. There are also the [[CastingAShadow Dark Attribute]] that used for crowd control and can pierce physical defense except for magic barriers and its opposite Attribute-Light.
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** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
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Adding Functional Magic to the page and changing the One Person One Power example to Magic By Any Other Name name because Masters can gain multiple Skills from their Embyros and Jobs and Magic where they have more than one power. I'm also changing the links for Evolving Weapon to Adaptive Ability because Embyros can be more than a Weapon while showcasing their overall ability to grow.
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By the 2030s, technology had advanced to the point where game companies could [[{{Defictionalization}} make the elusive "full-dive VRMMO" a reality]]... but even the finest titles of the genre turned out to be little more than expensive vomiting simulators. That was, until the release of ''Infinite Dendrogram'' in 2043 - a game that eclipsed all prior VR technology (and game technology ''in general'') by an almost frightening degree, with hardware sold at prices too cheap to believe. ''Dendro'' boasts hundreds of classes, a single server that can handle millions of players with no lag or downtime, and a vibrant world of impossibly lifelike {{Non Player Character}}s where [[YearInsideHourOutside time progresses three times faster inside than outside]]. Each "Master" (''Dendro'''s term for players) is gifted with an Embyro - an EmpathicWeapon (or a {{Mon}}, a CoolBike, a castle, an artificial heart...) which [[EvolvingWeapon grows alongside them]], gaining [[OnePersonOnePower unique and powerful abilities which make no two players the same]].
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By the 2030s, technology had advanced to the point where game companies could [[{{Defictionalization}} make the elusive "full-dive VRMMO" a reality]]... but even the finest titles of the genre turned out to be little more than expensive vomiting simulators. That was, until the release of ''Infinite Dendrogram'' in 2043 - a game that eclipsed all prior VR technology (and game technology ''in general'') by an almost frightening degree, with hardware sold at prices too cheap to believe. ''Dendro'' boasts hundreds of classes, a single server that can handle millions of players with no lag or downtime, and a vibrant world of impossibly lifelike {{Non Player Character}}s where [[YearInsideHourOutside time progresses three times faster inside than outside]]. Each "Master" (''Dendro'''s term for players) is gifted with an Embyro - an EmpathicWeapon (or a {{Mon}}, a CoolBike, a castle, an artificial heart...) which [[EvolvingWeapon [[AdaptiveAbility grows alongside them]], gaining [[OnePersonOnePower [[PersonalityPowers unique and powerful abilities based on player personality which make no two players the same]].
* FunctionalMagic: Infinite Dendrogram uses ''[[ElementalPowers Elemental Magic]]'' that can be gained from spells magic Jobs. Attributes categorize spells into three major types. Sky Attributes have attack spells, including the [[PlayingWithFire Flame]],[[LightEmUp Light]], and [[ShockAndAwe Lightning Attributes]]. [[DishingOutDirt Earth Attribute]] deals with a mix of offense and defense. Sea Attributes have a defensive spell through the [[MakingASplash Water Attribute]] and [[AnIcePerson Ice Attribute]]. There are also the [[CastingAShadow Dark Attribute]] that used for crowd control and can pierce physical defense except for magic barriers and its opposite Attribute-Light.
* MagicByAnyOtherName: The game gives each player a special ability called an Embryo, which [[AdaptiveAbility evolves]] based on their [[PersonalityPowers personality]] and [[DieOrFly experiences within the world]], unlocking [[NextTierPowerup up to seven forms of increasing power]]. There are many types of Embryos, but all fall into one of the following categories (sometimes prefixed with another word for Embryos with an unusual focus):
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
** Skills are the names of abilities beings in the game can gain through equipment and Jobs. Masters can acquire skills from their Embryos along with their Jobs and equipment. Yet, they differ from Tians since they are more overpowered compared to what Tians can attain. Monsters can gain them naturally rather than jobs and depend on their species.
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
** Skills are the names of abilities beings in the game can gain through equipment and Jobs. Masters can acquire skills from their Embryos along with their Jobs and equipment. Yet, they differ from Tians since they are more overpowered compared to what Tians can attain. Monsters can gain them naturally rather than jobs and depend on their species.
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* OnePersonOnePower: The game gives each player a special ability called an Embryo, which [[EvolvingWeapon evolves]] based on their [[PersonalityPowers personality]] and [[DieOrFly experiences within the world]], unlocking [[NextTierPowerup up to seven forms of increasing power]]. There are many types of Embryos, but all fall into one of the following categories (sometimes prefixed with another word for Embryos with an unusual focus):
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
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''Infinite Dendogram'' is a {{light novel|s}} series written by Sakon Kaidou and illustrated by Taiki. Originally a WebSerialNovel (which can be found [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) that was first released on Shousetsuka ni Narou in 2015, it later began publication under the Creator/HJBunko label in 2016. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from Creator/JNovelClub.
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''Infinite Dendogram'' is a {{light novel|s}} series written by Sakon Kaidou and illustrated by Taiki. Originally a WebSerialNovel (which can be found [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) that was first released on Shousetsuka ni Narou Platform/ShousetsukaNiNarou in 2015, it later began publication under the Creator/HJBunko label in 2016. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from Creator/JNovelClub.
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Examples Are Not Recent, since the series is now up to 21 volumes.
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The light novels are written by Sakon Kaidou (the original Japanese WebNovel is readable [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) and illustrated by Taiki. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from J-Novel Club, with 20 volumes as of October 2023.
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Added example(s)
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** There's an InUniverse theory that the Type of Embyro, not just their individual abilities, is determined by their Master's personality, and thus the Types can be used as a form of personality test. For example, ''Type: Arm'' Masters are often courageous and hot-blooded while ''Type: Guardian'' Masters are more cautious and timid. It's not a perfect theory as there are still some mysteries (for example, there doesn't seem to be any obvious and consistent traits for ''Type: Chariot'' Masters). One notable facet is that Masters with a ''Type:Maiden'' Embryo often see ''Infinite Dendrogram'' as more than just a game, treating the Tians as fully sentient and reacting similarly when they're in peril.
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** Shu wears a bear mascot costume and acts the part in his spare time, in spite of his looks he's actually a top ranking player who wears the costume into combat, wields a machine gun and has a cloak and dagger hidden agenda. All of this just screams "Checky from ''VideoGame/MapleStory''". Checky is a bear mascot costume-wearing member of a secret resistance, whose dayjob is being a mascot character and he has a {{mech}} suit with machinegun arms, among other ballistic armaments which he wears over his mascot costume, which he reportedly doesn't remove even when he's sleeping. [[spoiler: Also Shu's embryo gives him basically all the same armaments as Checky and then some, including [[TransformingMecha the mechanic class's tank mode]] that Checky never uses.]]
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** Shu wears a bear mascot costume and acts the part in his spare time, in spite of his looks he's actually a top ranking player who wears the costume into combat, wields a machine gun and has a cloak and dagger hidden agenda. All of this just screams "Checky from ''VideoGame/MapleStory''". Checky is a bear mascot costume-wearing member of a secret resistance, whose dayjob is being a mascot character character, and he has a {{mech}} {{mecha}} suit with machinegun arms, among other ballistic armaments which he wears over his mascot costume, which he reportedly doesn't remove even when he's sleeping. [[spoiler: Also Shu's embryo gives him basically all the same armaments as Checky and then some, including [[TransformingMecha the mechanic class's tank mode]] that Checky never uses.]]
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Adding a spoiler tag to one of the examples to avoid one of the major reveals.
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** Some of the story's [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructive]] elements (including evidence that the game actually transports players to another world inhabited by real people) are cut, which can make it appear that [[SeriousBusiness players are being deathly serious in situations where nothing is at stake]].
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** Some of the story's [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructive]] elements (including [[spoiler:(including evidence that the game actually transports players to another world inhabited by real people) people)]] are cut, which can make it appear that [[SeriousBusiness players are being deathly serious in situations where nothing is at stake]].
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The light novels are written by Sakon Kaidou (the original Japanese WebNovel is readable [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) and illustrated by Taiki. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from J-Novel Club, with 13 volumes as of December 2020.
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring 2020.
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring 2020.
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The light novels are written by Sakon Kaidou (the original Japanese WebNovel is readable [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) and illustrated by Taiki. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from J-Novel Club, with 13 20 volumes as of December 2020.
October 2023.
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring2020.
2020 (a CompressedAdaptation which covers the first 5 volumes in 13 episodes).
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring
* AdaptationExplanationExtrication: The AnimatedAdaptation has a lot of this due to [[CompressedAdaptation the sheer amount of content being squashed into 13 episodes]].
** Some of the story's [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructive]] elements (including evidence that the game actually transports players to another world inhabited by real people) are cut, which can make it appear that [[SeriousBusiness players are being deathly serious in situations where nothing is at stake]].
** In the first episode Nemesis's sword form is apparently powerful enough for Ray to OneHitKill an endgame-tier enemy at lv0 through nothing but sheer strength, and Shu seems impressed by his power. In the novels not only is this enemy weak enough that Shu slays hundreds of them in the same fight without difficulty, but Ray defeating one requires a combination of a highly-specific CounterAttack ability based on damage taken, and unknowingly expending a king's ransom in endgame consumables in order to charge it up; Shu's reaction is more because he admires his brother's mindset that would grant him a power based on suffering for others.
** The anime greatly abridges Ray's flashback to Shu winning a martial arts title while in crutches, leaving out that Ray was responsible for Shu's accident... and that Shu won by kicking his opponent full-force in the head ''with his broken leg'', blindsiding him and allowing Shu to knock him out in one blow. Thus instead of Ray being inspired by Shu's madlad behaviour to try out an unorthodox plan that turns a weakness into a weapon, he's simply inspired by how Shu always wins.
** ZigZagged in that [[AllThereInTheManual a series of companion shorts]] were released alongside the anime where the characters give {{Exposition Dump}}s on some aspects of the setting and character motivations which the anime couldn't cover. [[NoExportForYou However, these shorts were not included in the English release.]]
** Some of the story's [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructive]] elements (including evidence that the game actually transports players to another world inhabited by real people) are cut, which can make it appear that [[SeriousBusiness players are being deathly serious in situations where nothing is at stake]].
** In the first episode Nemesis's sword form is apparently powerful enough for Ray to OneHitKill an endgame-tier enemy at lv0 through nothing but sheer strength, and Shu seems impressed by his power. In the novels not only is this enemy weak enough that Shu slays hundreds of them in the same fight without difficulty, but Ray defeating one requires a combination of a highly-specific CounterAttack ability based on damage taken, and unknowingly expending a king's ransom in endgame consumables in order to charge it up; Shu's reaction is more because he admires his brother's mindset that would grant him a power based on suffering for others.
** The anime greatly abridges Ray's flashback to Shu winning a martial arts title while in crutches, leaving out that Ray was responsible for Shu's accident... and that Shu won by kicking his opponent full-force in the head ''with his broken leg'', blindsiding him and allowing Shu to knock him out in one blow. Thus instead of Ray being inspired by Shu's madlad behaviour to try out an unorthodox plan that turns a weakness into a weapon, he's simply inspired by how Shu always wins.
** ZigZagged in that [[AllThereInTheManual a series of companion shorts]] were released alongside the anime where the characters give {{Exposition Dump}}s on some aspects of the setting and character motivations which the anime couldn't cover. [[NoExportForYou However, these shorts were not included in the English release.]]
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* CripplingOverspecialisation: With many different builds available, some masters choose to be these.
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* CripplingOverspecialisation: With many different builds available, some masters choose CompressedAdaptation: The AnimatedAdaptation compresses the first 5 volumes into 13 episodes (more than quadruple the standard pace for LN adaptations); this results in most {{Back Stor|y}}ies, {{Flash Back}}s and alternate perspectives being cut, a number of conversations being truncated, Ray appearing [[AdaptationalBadass much stronger]] due to be these.AdaptationExplanationExtrication, and the novel's larger CosmicHorrorStory MythArc being relegated to a few vague comments by {{Mysterious Watcher}}s.
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Adding a trope about how the game gives the NP Cs, enemies, and players mutliple abilities through the mechanics of Magic and Skills.
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* ComboPlatterPowers: Tians, Monsters, and Masters can get many abilities from magic and Skills. Monsters can learn Skills and magic naturally compared to Masters and Tians. Tians and Masters attain skills from their Jobs or the equipment they are equipping. Masters can actually gain more due to gaining Skills from their Embryos, which tend to be overpowered.
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Asskicking Leads To Leadership is the new name of the trope.
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* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: The Kingdom of Altar's Knights were led by the strongest Tian warrior, and the King himself went into battle during the war with Dryfe Imperium.
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* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: The Kingdom of Altar's Knights were led by the strongest Tian warrior, and the King himself went into battle during the war with Dryfe Imperium.
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* IllGirl: [[spoiler: Many of the Lunar Clan members turn out to be this.]]
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/infinite_dendrogram.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ThePaladin Ray Starling]] wielding [[{{BFS}} Nemesis]] \\
Nemesis's [[EquippableAlly human form]] in background]]
-> ''"Vengeance is Mine!"''
-->-- '''Ray & Nemesis '''
By the 2030s, technology had advanced to the point where game companies could [[{{Defictionalization}} make the elusive "full-dive VRMMO" a reality]]... but even the finest titles of the genre turned out to be little more than expensive vomiting simulators. That was, until the release of ''Infinite Dendrogram'' in 2043 - a game that eclipsed all prior VR technology (and game technology ''in general'') by an almost frightening degree, with hardware sold at prices too cheap to believe. ''Dendro'' boasts hundreds of classes, a single server that can handle millions of players with no lag or downtime, and a vibrant world of impossibly lifelike {{Non Player Character}}s where [[YearInsideHourOutside time progresses three times faster inside than outside]]. Each "Master" (''Dendro'''s term for players) is gifted with an Embyro - an EmpathicWeapon (or a {{Mon}}, a CoolBike, a castle, an artificial heart...) which [[EvolvingWeapon grows alongside them]], gaining [[OnePersonOnePower unique and powerful abilities which make no two players the same]].
About two years after launch, college student Reiji Mukodori purchases a copy of the game over summer vacation, creating his character [[ThisIsMyNameOnForeign Ray Starling]]. After his first adventure with his veteran older brother Shu places him up against impossible odds, his persistence [[DieOrFly triggers the birth of his Embryo]] as Nemesis, a [[EquippableAlly Maiden-with-Arms]] type specialised in {{Counter Attack}}s against strong foes. Taking up the [[ThePaladin Paladin]] class, Ray begins his journey into the world of ''Dendro'', a game of limitless depth and filled with colourful characters. [[AmbiguousSituation That is, if it's really a game at all...]]
The light novels are written by Sakon Kaidou (the original Japanese WebNovel is readable [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) and illustrated by Taiki. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from J-Novel Club, with 13 volumes as of December 2020.
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring 2020.
A SpinOff manga, ''Crow Record: Infinite Dendrogram Another'' is told from the perspective of Juliet, one of Gideon's duel rankers.
!!This light novel carries examples of:
* AcronymAndAbbreviationOverload: DIN, K&R, [=KoD=], B3, RSK…
* ActionSurvivor: In a world where monsters and masters roam, many Tians ([=NPCs=]) gain fighting classes to survive.
* ADayInTheLimelight: The side stories are usually this, highlighting side characters' adventures. Many of them expand on the main plot.
* ADarkerMe: Many PK clans are filled with people who are nice and diligent in real life, but wish to role-play villains.
* AllCrimesAreEqual: Subverted, while killing other players doesn't have drawbacks, killing Tians is against the law, which can lead to a ban from using the country's save points.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: While we haven't seen her yet, Shu and Ray's sister seems to be this.
* AnachronismStew: The Country of Knights is attacked by a country with Mechas and other machines. Other countries include themes such as a Mercantile Desert and Far East Asia
* AndroidsArePeopleToo: The [=NPCs=], known as Tians, live perfectly normal lives, and can interact with players.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Monsters often drop various items and equipment. Ray's first kill nets him a set of armor he is too low-levelled to equip.
* AntiDebuff: [[spoiler: Ray is granted this through Nemesis's second form ability, "Like a Flag Flying the Reversal", which causes all debuffs afflicting him to be inverted - e.g. speed penalties become speed bonuses, and DamageOverTime effects are converted into GradualRegeneration.]]
* AnyoneCanDie: If you are a Tian, death is permanent.
* AliceAllusion: While she hasn't shown up herself, many of the other characters in [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland Alice in Wonderland]]; such as Cheshire Cat, Jabberwock, and Humpty, appear.
* AIIsACrapshoot: The game is run by various AIs, some of which enjoy letting monsters grow strong to terrorise the world.
* ArtificialIntelligence: At least 13 of them run Infinite Dendrogram in the background. Some of the known ones include Cheshire Cat, Jabberwock, and Humpty. Each one specializes in different things and have weaknesses in other areas.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: The Kingdom of Altar's Knights were led by the strongest Tian warrior, and the King himself went into battle during the war with Dryfe Imperium.
* BadassFamily: Ray's brother is an Unkra (Unlimited Pankration) Champion, while their sister is hinted to be even stronger.
* BadassInDistress: Shu lets himself be jailed when he was framed as a murderer.
* BattleCouple: Whenever a master and a humanoid embryo are of the opposite gender, this is likely to happen.
* BehemothBattle: The Kingdom of Altar's first three Superiors joined forces for the first time to kill one.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Shu towards Ray, even in game.
* BlackSwordsAreBetter: Nemesis's first form is a black western great sword called Black Blade.
* BreakableWeapons: There is a skill that allows you to break your shield in exchange for greater defence.
* BystanderSyndrome: The War between Altar and Dryfe went horribly because the highest ranked Masters chose not to participate for Altar while Dryfe's opted to do so. As only Masters who are ranked and their guilds can participate, their inaction ultimately resulted in heavy losses for Altar.
* CallingYourAttacks: The Superiors' Ultimate skills seem to require this.
* CharacterClassSystem: Masters usually start in a lower class, and once certain conditions are fulfilled they can advance to higher classes.
* ClassAndLevelSystem: Infinite Dendrogram uses a system where Masters and Tians have a class level separate from their character levels.
* ChickMagnet: Rook seems to be one. His first main job is even the Pimp.
* CodeName: Almost every master gets one.
* CombatMedic: The High Priestess Tsukiyo may be a good healer, but even Figaro, the #1 in the rankings, would prefer not to face her head on.
* CommonCharacterClasses: Fighters, mages, thieves, and paladins are some of the many, many options that players can class in.
* CripplingOverspecialisation: With many different builds available, some masters choose to be these.
* CrossPlayer: There are plenty of characters who play as the opposite gender.
* CurbStompBattle: The Superiors against the PK guilds.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Players like Rook, Marie, and Hugo all carry baggage from the real world.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Ray "looks more like the Hell General then the actual Hell General" Starling: black and red armor, [[SpikesOfVillainy spikes all over said armor]], uses [[DeadlyGas toxic gas attacks]], but is still solidly a NiceGuy with ChronicHeroSyndrome.
* DavidVersusGoliath:
** ''Type-Maiden'' Embryos have abilities themed around "giant-killing", drawing out greater power against strong opponents. Examples include:
*** Nemesis: ''Vengeance is Mine'' and ''Payback Beyond the Stars'' are attacks that grow in power depending on the amount of damage the attack target has inflicted to Ray in the last 24 hours (including any damage Ray negated via barriers or a LastChanceHitPoint). ''Reverser's Flag'' inverts the effects of StatusEffects, causing them to [[StatusBuff make Ray stronger]] instead. ''Chaser From Mirroring'' allows Ray to copy one of his opponent's stats, at the cost of draining his Vengeance is Mine counter against them over time.
*** Cocytus: ''La Porte de l'Enfer'' is an aura that freezes nearby opponents over time, with its speed depending on how many creatures they have slain of their own type; this makes it ineffective against novice players but a OneHitKill against experienced duelists. She later unlocks ''La Porte de l'Enfer Deuxieme'', which functions as a hybrid of the original ability and Nemesis's ''Vengeance is Mine''.
*** Naegling: ''Over Chaser'' provides a StatusBuff if the user's stats are lower than the opponent's. ''The One That Overcomes, Naegling'' activates if the sword is broken, providing +[=AGI=] equal to the opponent's [=AGI=], +[=ATK=] equal to their [=DEF=], and +[=DEF=] equal to their [=ATK=].
** Ray develops a reputation for defeating opponents far above his weight class (even ones ''[[WeaponOfXSlaying specifically designed to kill him]]''), to the point where it earns him the InSeriesNickname of "The Unbreakable". In addition to his Maiden-class Embryo, he later gains the ''Grudge-Soaked Greaves'', which convert negative emotions around him into {{Mana}} and thus power him up whenever fighting something strong enough to cause widespread panic.
* DeadMansChest: Tian Adventurers often carry an inventory box specifically for storing their dead, since it prevents their bodies from being left to rot and the remains can be carried back to their loved ones.
* DeathIsCheap: Masters who die are simply locked out of the game for 24 hours.
* DeepImmersionGaming: How the world is viewed by Masters.
* DoItYourselfThemeTune: Liliana's voice actress, Creator/AoiYuuki, also sings the anime's opening theme "Unbreakable".
* DungeonBypass: Shu walks straight through buildings to rush where he's needed.
* DungeonCrawling: There are dungeons for exploring available to players.
* EmpathicWeapon: Embryos are formed by a Master's personality, and most can read the minds of their Masters.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
* FinaglesLaw: Lampshaded by Mr. Franklin when his plans A through C get foiled.
* FantasticMeasurementSystem: Metels instead of Meters
* TheFellowshipHasEnded: Following their defeat at the hands of Figaro, PK guild Mad Castle is disbanded.
* FictionalCurrency: Lir
* {{Flight}}: Various monsters come with the ability to fly. Ray's AutomatonHorse Silver has the ability to walk on air as well.
* FoodPorn: Shu's food is always described as so good, it can send you into a coma.
* GatlingGood: Shu's Embryo can take the form of a Gatling gun.
* GeniusBruiser: Barbaroy Bad Burn looks like a BoisterousBruiser BloodKnight on the outside, but is secretly this underneath, capable of [[AwesomeByAnalysis analyzing enemies and coming up with counter strategies in seconds]].
* GenreDeconstruction: Of MMO-themed {{Light Novel}}s. The protagonist can get his hands on [[GameBreaker unfair, rule-breaking powers]]… but [[WorldOfBadass so can everyone else]]. Features of ''Dendro'' that in most stories would exist simply as {{Hand Wave}}s (such as [=NPCs=] acting like humans, [[YearInsideHourOutside time flowing faster inside the game]], and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking state-of-the-art VR gaming rigs cheap enough for a NEET to afford]]) are acknowledged by the characters as abnormal or even impossible, and evidence that something very strange is going on behind the scenes.%%InUniverse
* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: The King of Assassins, after losing to Figaro and Ray, thanks them for defeating him and Tsukiyo.]]
* GuestStarPartyMember: The Vice Commander of the Royal Guard, Lilinana, joins Ray's party temporarily during her quest.
* GuideDangIt: The job requirements can be quite convoluted. Thankfully, Shu has a guide to help Ray and Rook out.
* GoofySuit: There are various mascot suits within the game, with Shu Starling using his bear suit most of the time.
* HeelFaceTurn: Various characters change sides after certain events. [[spoiler: Two notable ones include Marie Adler/Superior Killer, who joins Ray after killing him while he was out hunting, and Barbaroy Bad Burn/B3, who disbands her clan after her defeat to Figaro and later joins Ray.]]
* HeroesPreferSwords: Members of the royal guard and other paladins are often equipped with swords.
* HeroicFantasy: Players can choose to be whatever they want in a mythical land where magic and monsters abound.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: One of the two types of ninjas is the kind that uses flashy abilities. The other type specializes in proper disguises and infiltration skills.
* IllGirl: [[spoiler: Many of the Lunar Clan members turn out to be this.]]
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Figaro's Chains and King of Destruction's Warship are just some examples of weapons used in Infinite Dendrogram.
* InstantDeathRadius: Gloria has a 1km killing field that will kill anything living creature that isn't at least Level 500. That effectively means that only high-rank masters can survive to face it, as it also NoSell all damage from outside that radius.
* InterspeciesRomance: It's entirely possible for a Tian to get involved with a Master. By the Sixth Volume, there are at least 27 marriages on record occurring between them. [[spoiler:With the last one actually producing a child between them, something noted to be nearly impossible since the Master would have to be logged in until the zygote's development is far enough along that them logging out wouldn't remove their sperm.]]
** However, this has its downsides on both ends: [[spoiler:As Masters are often called away and can disappear for in-game months at a time, and the death of a Tian spouse is enough to basically cause a Master to outright quit the game due to the heartbreak.]]
* ISurrenderSuckers: Barbaroy Bad Burn attempts this against Figaro. It doesn't work.
* {{Jerkass}}: Franklin the Weakest, the Worst is one. After being [=PKed=], he proceeds to camp his killer's save point, and repeatedly kills his killer until they gave up playing the game.
* LadyOfWar: Tsukiyo can come off as one, being a revered High Priestess who can still kick ass.
* LightheartedRematch: Ray requests Superior Killer for one.
* LightningBruiser: Several Superiors such as Figaro qualify, being fast and able to deal loads of damage.
* LimitedUseMagicalDevice: Magical Gems. Some have spells like "Escape Gate" to leave a dungeon or "White Lance" to harm spiritual enemies.
* LivingWeapon: Embryos can show sapience, with Maiden types being similar to humans.
* LogicalWeakness: Legion type embryos are excellent for suppressing heroes that are good at dueling, but are bad against heroes that have wide area attacks.
* MacrossMissileMassacre: [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s Bloody Laser Storm.
* MagicallyBindingContract: The ''Contract'' Item makes it so that those who sign it must agree to the terms and if they break it they suffer a predetermined effect like a status debuff or even the Death Penalty.
* MassiveRaceSelection: During character creation, players can create their avatar from scratch, allowing them to be anything they want, including changing their gender or becoming an animal.
* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: The great question of Infinite Dendogram. Is it just a really sophisticated game with [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]] that only seem real, or is it an actual other world populated with real people? Nobody really knows.
* MechanicallyUnusualClass: Infinite Dendogram has so many classes and gameplay mechanics, including unusual ones such as Pimps.
* MetalSlime: Rook manages to tame one.
* MillionMookMarch: Franklin's Embryo allows him to create great numbers of monsters.
* MookHorrorShow: Once King of Destruction starts the artillery barrage against mooks.
* MoreDakka:
** Essentially [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s entire gimmick.
** Mr. Franklin uses this a metaphor for how his plan A through C were foiled.
---> '''Mr. Franklin''': "I whip up a better plan, they bring out bigger guns, every time."
* MorphWeapon: Higher ranked Embryos can gain additional forms and abilities.
* MutualKill: Apparently the result of a duel between the King of Crime and the King of Destruction.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Superior Killer, King of Crime, King and Queen of Monsters and King of Destruction are just some of the people you wouldn't want to cross.
** Thirteen Volumes in, Ray finally [[spoiler: makes his own clan, Death Period.]]
* NewsTravelsFast: Thanks to DIN, any news can reach every corner of the world quickly… if you're willing to pay for it. [[spoiler:One high official even leaks information specifically so that Masters will go investigate an area in Volume 8.]]
* NonHumanUndead: The Grudge-Powered Gouz-Maise UBM formed from the Gouz-Maise Gang in Volume 2.
* NoodleIncident: Various stories of Shu and Ray's sister are never fully explained.
%%* NotDisabledInVR
* OhCrap: Ray as a new player, with no job or skills, has to fight what is essentially a high tier monster for his very first quest.
* OneManArmy: King of Destruction uses a Battleship and can destroy a forest in seconds.
* OnePersonOnePower: The game gives each player a special ability called an Embryo, which [[EvolvingWeapon evolves]] based on their [[PersonalityPowers personality]] and [[DieOrFly experiences within the world]], unlocking [[NextTierPowerup up to seven forms of increasing power]]. There are many types of Embryos, but all fall into one of the following categories (sometimes prefixed with another word for Embryos with an unusual focus):
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: A plethora of dragons, both pure and demi, as well as mechanical man-made dragons are all a part of the world.
* PlayerGeneratedEconomy: Played with. There was an economy pre-existing before the Masters arrived, but typically Master-made goods are so much better that even the Tians buy them. This has actually put some Tians out of business, while others have to relocate in order to make a living.
* PlayerKilling: There are guilds dedicated to this.
* PoliceAreUseless: Subverted, the Tian authorities have their own classes and aren't completely outclassed by weaker Masters.
* PersonalityPowers: Embryos are based on the personality of the Master that wields them.
* RandomDrop: Special monsters can drop unique, one of a kind items. Masters who get killed will also drop items at random, aside from the aforementioned unique drops.
* RedBaron: There are plenty, some of which overlap with their class titles. Ray The Unbreakable is one of these.
* ReligiousAndMythologicalThemeNaming: All Embryos are named after something from religion, mythology or classic literature with some connection to their abilities, which also serves as the name of their LimitBreak at high levels.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: [[spoiler: The Nox forest is obliterated by Shu because Ray was killed by the Superior Killer, who was hiding there.]]
* SignatureMove: Ray's Vengeance is Mine is one.
* ShoutOut: In addition to the [[ReligiousAndMythologicalThemeNaming mythological themes]] of the Embryos, the series has a number of more contemporary references:
** ''Dendro'''s production lead is named Creator/LewisCarroll, and its control AIs ([[spoiler:or rather, their current pseudonyms]]) are [[ShoutOutThemeNaming based on characters from the author's works]].
** Shu wears a bear mascot costume and acts the part in his spare time, in spite of his looks he's actually a top ranking player who wears the costume into combat, wields a machine gun and has a cloak and dagger hidden agenda. All of this just screams "Checky from ''VideoGame/MapleStory''". Checky is a bear mascot costume-wearing member of a secret resistance, whose dayjob is being a mascot character and he has a {{mech}} suit with machinegun arms, among other ballistic armaments which he wears over his mascot costume, which he reportedly doesn't remove even when he's sleeping. [[spoiler: Also Shu's embryo gives him basically all the same armaments as Checky and then some, including [[TransformingMecha the mechanic class's tank mode]] that Checky never uses.]]
** The name of Dryfe's line of {{Magitek}} HumongousMecha, "Magingear", is reminiscent of [[Anime/MazingerZ Mazinger]]. In-story, the engineers who developed them were a bunch of geeks who just wanted to pilot a SuperRobot, even inviting the professional composer Veldorbell into their guild solely so that he could write an old-school BraggingThemeTune to promote their first successful model.
** Masked Riser styles himself as a Franchise/KamenRider, down to his Embryo being a wind-themed [[CoolBike motorbike]] that transforms into PoweredArmor and gives him a FinishingMove named [[DivingKick "Riser Kick"]]. This is acknowledged in-story, to the point where other characters call him Kamen Rider more often than his actual name.
** The first use of Rook's "Union Jack" [[FusionDance combines himself, a succubus and a Demi-Dragon into]] a "Ryū-Ma-Jin" (Dragon-Devil-Man), which resembles the transformation of the same name from ''Manga/DragonQuestTheAdventureOfDai''.
** [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s battleship form somewhat resembles a monochrome hybrid of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam SCV-70 White Base]] and [[Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross SDF-1 Macross]]. It even comes with a MacrossMissileMassacre style laser attack.
** When Nemesis [[EvolvingWeapon unlocks her third form]], transforming into a [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe shield]], she doesn't gain immediate knowledge of all her abilities like normal. Ray experiments by [[ThrowingYourShieldAlwaysWorks throwing her]]... which soon results in him being chased by an angry, mud-splattered Nemesis shouting "Do you think you're [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Captain America]] or something?!"
* SuperReflexes: Raising your AGI stat gives you these by speeding up your perception of time while in battle.
* TimeAbyss: Certain entities have been around well before even the pre-ancient civilizations, [[spoiler:such as the The Skydragon Drag-Flare.]]
* UndeadChild: A lot of these show up in Volume 2. [[spoiler:The bandits who'd been kidnapping children killed the ones whose parents didn't pay (and they didn't eat) and had a necromancer raise them. Ray laying them to rest was a MercyKill and resulted in him earning the Purifying Silverlight skill.]]
* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: A player who commits crimes to Tiens end up wanted and not being able to use the country's save point.
* WeaponOfXSlaying: The "Ray Starling Killer" is a monster created by Mr. Franklin with elemental resistances tailored to Ray's attack forms. To counter Ray's SpecialAttack "Vengeance Is Mine" (which lets him strike back against an opponent with double the power of the attacks they hit him with) it has no attacks of its own, instead acting as a mobile pillbox that spawns ranged-attacking monsters inside its body.
* WeirdnessCensor: The Tians don't blink an eye when they see a Master disappear, considering them to be the perfectly normal act of being spirited away to another world.
* WheresTheKaboom: [[spoiler: Mr. Franklin's reaction to failing to manually release the monsters with a second button. (which happened to have a cartoon bomb on it)]]
* WorldTree: Exists in the setting, where the elves live.
* YearInsideHourOutside: Each hour in real life is equal to three within the game.
* YoungerThanTheyLook: [=XunYu=] appears as a tall, menacing Jiangshi. She's also just 9 years old. Hell General Logan Goddhart is slightly older, at 10.
* YourMindMakesItReal: In Infinite Dendrogram the Maiden type Embryo, the most self-aware of all the Embryo types, can only be unlocked by those who believe on some level that the world around them is more than just a game and that the lives of those in it have value.
----
[[caption-width-right:350:[[ThePaladin Ray Starling]] wielding [[{{BFS}} Nemesis]] \\
Nemesis's [[EquippableAlly human form]] in background]]
-> ''"Vengeance is Mine!"''
-->-- '''Ray & Nemesis '''
By the 2030s, technology had advanced to the point where game companies could [[{{Defictionalization}} make the elusive "full-dive VRMMO" a reality]]... but even the finest titles of the genre turned out to be little more than expensive vomiting simulators. That was, until the release of ''Infinite Dendrogram'' in 2043 - a game that eclipsed all prior VR technology (and game technology ''in general'') by an almost frightening degree, with hardware sold at prices too cheap to believe. ''Dendro'' boasts hundreds of classes, a single server that can handle millions of players with no lag or downtime, and a vibrant world of impossibly lifelike {{Non Player Character}}s where [[YearInsideHourOutside time progresses three times faster inside than outside]]. Each "Master" (''Dendro'''s term for players) is gifted with an Embyro - an EmpathicWeapon (or a {{Mon}}, a CoolBike, a castle, an artificial heart...) which [[EvolvingWeapon grows alongside them]], gaining [[OnePersonOnePower unique and powerful abilities which make no two players the same]].
About two years after launch, college student Reiji Mukodori purchases a copy of the game over summer vacation, creating his character [[ThisIsMyNameOnForeign Ray Starling]]. After his first adventure with his veteran older brother Shu places him up against impossible odds, his persistence [[DieOrFly triggers the birth of his Embryo]] as Nemesis, a [[EquippableAlly Maiden-with-Arms]] type specialised in {{Counter Attack}}s against strong foes. Taking up the [[ThePaladin Paladin]] class, Ray begins his journey into the world of ''Dendro'', a game of limitless depth and filled with colourful characters. [[AmbiguousSituation That is, if it's really a game at all...]]
The light novels are written by Sakon Kaidou (the original Japanese WebNovel is readable [[https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5455cx/ here]]) and illustrated by Taiki. An [[https://j-novel.club/c/infinite-dendrogram-volume-1-part-1 English translation]] is available from J-Novel Club, with 13 volumes as of December 2020.
The series has a manga adaptation with art by Kami Imai, as well as an anime airing Spring 2020.
A SpinOff manga, ''Crow Record: Infinite Dendrogram Another'' is told from the perspective of Juliet, one of Gideon's duel rankers.
!!This light novel carries examples of:
* AcronymAndAbbreviationOverload: DIN, K&R, [=KoD=], B3, RSK…
* ActionSurvivor: In a world where monsters and masters roam, many Tians ([=NPCs=]) gain fighting classes to survive.
* ADayInTheLimelight: The side stories are usually this, highlighting side characters' adventures. Many of them expand on the main plot.
* ADarkerMe: Many PK clans are filled with people who are nice and diligent in real life, but wish to role-play villains.
* AllCrimesAreEqual: Subverted, while killing other players doesn't have drawbacks, killing Tians is against the law, which can lead to a ban from using the country's save points.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: While we haven't seen her yet, Shu and Ray's sister seems to be this.
* AnachronismStew: The Country of Knights is attacked by a country with Mechas and other machines. Other countries include themes such as a Mercantile Desert and Far East Asia
* AndroidsArePeopleToo: The [=NPCs=], known as Tians, live perfectly normal lives, and can interact with players.
* AndYourRewardIsClothes: Monsters often drop various items and equipment. Ray's first kill nets him a set of armor he is too low-levelled to equip.
* AntiDebuff: [[spoiler: Ray is granted this through Nemesis's second form ability, "Like a Flag Flying the Reversal", which causes all debuffs afflicting him to be inverted - e.g. speed penalties become speed bonuses, and DamageOverTime effects are converted into GradualRegeneration.]]
* AnyoneCanDie: If you are a Tian, death is permanent.
* AliceAllusion: While she hasn't shown up herself, many of the other characters in [[Literature/AlicesAdventuresInWonderland Alice in Wonderland]]; such as Cheshire Cat, Jabberwock, and Humpty, appear.
* AIIsACrapshoot: The game is run by various AIs, some of which enjoy letting monsters grow strong to terrorise the world.
* ArtificialIntelligence: At least 13 of them run Infinite Dendrogram in the background. Some of the known ones include Cheshire Cat, Jabberwock, and Humpty. Each one specializes in different things and have weaknesses in other areas.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: The Kingdom of Altar's Knights were led by the strongest Tian warrior, and the King himself went into battle during the war with Dryfe Imperium.
* BadassFamily: Ray's brother is an Unkra (Unlimited Pankration) Champion, while their sister is hinted to be even stronger.
* BadassInDistress: Shu lets himself be jailed when he was framed as a murderer.
* BattleCouple: Whenever a master and a humanoid embryo are of the opposite gender, this is likely to happen.
* BehemothBattle: The Kingdom of Altar's first three Superiors joined forces for the first time to kill one.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Shu towards Ray, even in game.
* BlackSwordsAreBetter: Nemesis's first form is a black western great sword called Black Blade.
* BreakableWeapons: There is a skill that allows you to break your shield in exchange for greater defence.
* BystanderSyndrome: The War between Altar and Dryfe went horribly because the highest ranked Masters chose not to participate for Altar while Dryfe's opted to do so. As only Masters who are ranked and their guilds can participate, their inaction ultimately resulted in heavy losses for Altar.
* CallingYourAttacks: The Superiors' Ultimate skills seem to require this.
* CharacterClassSystem: Masters usually start in a lower class, and once certain conditions are fulfilled they can advance to higher classes.
* ClassAndLevelSystem: Infinite Dendrogram uses a system where Masters and Tians have a class level separate from their character levels.
* ChickMagnet: Rook seems to be one. His first main job is even the Pimp.
* CodeName: Almost every master gets one.
* CombatMedic: The High Priestess Tsukiyo may be a good healer, but even Figaro, the #1 in the rankings, would prefer not to face her head on.
* CommonCharacterClasses: Fighters, mages, thieves, and paladins are some of the many, many options that players can class in.
* CripplingOverspecialisation: With many different builds available, some masters choose to be these.
* CrossPlayer: There are plenty of characters who play as the opposite gender.
* CurbStompBattle: The Superiors against the PK guilds.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Players like Rook, Marie, and Hugo all carry baggage from the real world.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Ray "looks more like the Hell General then the actual Hell General" Starling: black and red armor, [[SpikesOfVillainy spikes all over said armor]], uses [[DeadlyGas toxic gas attacks]], but is still solidly a NiceGuy with ChronicHeroSyndrome.
* DavidVersusGoliath:
** ''Type-Maiden'' Embryos have abilities themed around "giant-killing", drawing out greater power against strong opponents. Examples include:
*** Nemesis: ''Vengeance is Mine'' and ''Payback Beyond the Stars'' are attacks that grow in power depending on the amount of damage the attack target has inflicted to Ray in the last 24 hours (including any damage Ray negated via barriers or a LastChanceHitPoint). ''Reverser's Flag'' inverts the effects of StatusEffects, causing them to [[StatusBuff make Ray stronger]] instead. ''Chaser From Mirroring'' allows Ray to copy one of his opponent's stats, at the cost of draining his Vengeance is Mine counter against them over time.
*** Cocytus: ''La Porte de l'Enfer'' is an aura that freezes nearby opponents over time, with its speed depending on how many creatures they have slain of their own type; this makes it ineffective against novice players but a OneHitKill against experienced duelists. She later unlocks ''La Porte de l'Enfer Deuxieme'', which functions as a hybrid of the original ability and Nemesis's ''Vengeance is Mine''.
*** Naegling: ''Over Chaser'' provides a StatusBuff if the user's stats are lower than the opponent's. ''The One That Overcomes, Naegling'' activates if the sword is broken, providing +[=AGI=] equal to the opponent's [=AGI=], +[=ATK=] equal to their [=DEF=], and +[=DEF=] equal to their [=ATK=].
** Ray develops a reputation for defeating opponents far above his weight class (even ones ''[[WeaponOfXSlaying specifically designed to kill him]]''), to the point where it earns him the InSeriesNickname of "The Unbreakable". In addition to his Maiden-class Embryo, he later gains the ''Grudge-Soaked Greaves'', which convert negative emotions around him into {{Mana}} and thus power him up whenever fighting something strong enough to cause widespread panic.
* DeadMansChest: Tian Adventurers often carry an inventory box specifically for storing their dead, since it prevents their bodies from being left to rot and the remains can be carried back to their loved ones.
* DeathIsCheap: Masters who die are simply locked out of the game for 24 hours.
* DeepImmersionGaming: How the world is viewed by Masters.
* DoItYourselfThemeTune: Liliana's voice actress, Creator/AoiYuuki, also sings the anime's opening theme "Unbreakable".
* DungeonBypass: Shu walks straight through buildings to rush where he's needed.
* DungeonCrawling: There are dungeons for exploring available to players.
* EmpathicWeapon: Embryos are formed by a Master's personality, and most can read the minds of their Masters.
* EvolvingWeapon: An Embryo can grow in Rank and gain new forms based on the Master's experiences.
* FinaglesLaw: Lampshaded by Mr. Franklin when his plans A through C get foiled.
* FantasticMeasurementSystem: Metels instead of Meters
* TheFellowshipHasEnded: Following their defeat at the hands of Figaro, PK guild Mad Castle is disbanded.
* FictionalCurrency: Lir
* {{Flight}}: Various monsters come with the ability to fly. Ray's AutomatonHorse Silver has the ability to walk on air as well.
* FoodPorn: Shu's food is always described as so good, it can send you into a coma.
* GatlingGood: Shu's Embryo can take the form of a Gatling gun.
* GeniusBruiser: Barbaroy Bad Burn looks like a BoisterousBruiser BloodKnight on the outside, but is secretly this underneath, capable of [[AwesomeByAnalysis analyzing enemies and coming up with counter strategies in seconds]].
* GenreDeconstruction: Of MMO-themed {{Light Novel}}s. The protagonist can get his hands on [[GameBreaker unfair, rule-breaking powers]]… but [[WorldOfBadass so can everyone else]]. Features of ''Dendro'' that in most stories would exist simply as {{Hand Wave}}s (such as [=NPCs=] acting like humans, [[YearInsideHourOutside time flowing faster inside the game]], and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking state-of-the-art VR gaming rigs cheap enough for a NEET to afford]]) are acknowledged by the characters as abnormal or even impossible, and evidence that something very strange is going on behind the scenes.%%InUniverse
* GracefulLoser: [[spoiler: The King of Assassins, after losing to Figaro and Ray, thanks them for defeating him and Tsukiyo.]]
* GuestStarPartyMember: The Vice Commander of the Royal Guard, Lilinana, joins Ray's party temporarily during her quest.
* GuideDangIt: The job requirements can be quite convoluted. Thankfully, Shu has a guide to help Ray and Rook out.
* GoofySuit: There are various mascot suits within the game, with Shu Starling using his bear suit most of the time.
* HeelFaceTurn: Various characters change sides after certain events. [[spoiler: Two notable ones include Marie Adler/Superior Killer, who joins Ray after killing him while he was out hunting, and Barbaroy Bad Burn/B3, who disbands her clan after her defeat to Figaro and later joins Ray.]]
* HeroesPreferSwords: Members of the royal guard and other paladins are often equipped with swords.
* HeroicFantasy: Players can choose to be whatever they want in a mythical land where magic and monsters abound.
* HighlyVisibleNinja: One of the two types of ninjas is the kind that uses flashy abilities. The other type specializes in proper disguises and infiltration skills.
* IllGirl: [[spoiler: Many of the Lunar Clan members turn out to be this.]]
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Figaro's Chains and King of Destruction's Warship are just some examples of weapons used in Infinite Dendrogram.
* InstantDeathRadius: Gloria has a 1km killing field that will kill anything living creature that isn't at least Level 500. That effectively means that only high-rank masters can survive to face it, as it also NoSell all damage from outside that radius.
* InterspeciesRomance: It's entirely possible for a Tian to get involved with a Master. By the Sixth Volume, there are at least 27 marriages on record occurring between them. [[spoiler:With the last one actually producing a child between them, something noted to be nearly impossible since the Master would have to be logged in until the zygote's development is far enough along that them logging out wouldn't remove their sperm.]]
** However, this has its downsides on both ends: [[spoiler:As Masters are often called away and can disappear for in-game months at a time, and the death of a Tian spouse is enough to basically cause a Master to outright quit the game due to the heartbreak.]]
* ISurrenderSuckers: Barbaroy Bad Burn attempts this against Figaro. It doesn't work.
* {{Jerkass}}: Franklin the Weakest, the Worst is one. After being [=PKed=], he proceeds to camp his killer's save point, and repeatedly kills his killer until they gave up playing the game.
* LadyOfWar: Tsukiyo can come off as one, being a revered High Priestess who can still kick ass.
* LightheartedRematch: Ray requests Superior Killer for one.
* LightningBruiser: Several Superiors such as Figaro qualify, being fast and able to deal loads of damage.
* LimitedUseMagicalDevice: Magical Gems. Some have spells like "Escape Gate" to leave a dungeon or "White Lance" to harm spiritual enemies.
* LivingWeapon: Embryos can show sapience, with Maiden types being similar to humans.
* LogicalWeakness: Legion type embryos are excellent for suppressing heroes that are good at dueling, but are bad against heroes that have wide area attacks.
* MacrossMissileMassacre: [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s Bloody Laser Storm.
* MagicallyBindingContract: The ''Contract'' Item makes it so that those who sign it must agree to the terms and if they break it they suffer a predetermined effect like a status debuff or even the Death Penalty.
* MassiveRaceSelection: During character creation, players can create their avatar from scratch, allowing them to be anything they want, including changing their gender or becoming an animal.
* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: The great question of Infinite Dendogram. Is it just a really sophisticated game with [[NonPlayerCharacter NPCs]] that only seem real, or is it an actual other world populated with real people? Nobody really knows.
* MechanicallyUnusualClass: Infinite Dendogram has so many classes and gameplay mechanics, including unusual ones such as Pimps.
* MetalSlime: Rook manages to tame one.
* MillionMookMarch: Franklin's Embryo allows him to create great numbers of monsters.
* MookHorrorShow: Once King of Destruction starts the artillery barrage against mooks.
* MoreDakka:
** Essentially [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s entire gimmick.
** Mr. Franklin uses this a metaphor for how his plan A through C were foiled.
---> '''Mr. Franklin''': "I whip up a better plan, they bring out bigger guns, every time."
* MorphWeapon: Higher ranked Embryos can gain additional forms and abilities.
* MutualKill: Apparently the result of a duel between the King of Crime and the King of Destruction.
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Superior Killer, King of Crime, King and Queen of Monsters and King of Destruction are just some of the people you wouldn't want to cross.
** Thirteen Volumes in, Ray finally [[spoiler: makes his own clan, Death Period.]]
* NewsTravelsFast: Thanks to DIN, any news can reach every corner of the world quickly… if you're willing to pay for it. [[spoiler:One high official even leaks information specifically so that Masters will go investigate an area in Volume 8.]]
* NonHumanUndead: The Grudge-Powered Gouz-Maise UBM formed from the Gouz-Maise Gang in Volume 2.
* NoodleIncident: Various stories of Shu and Ray's sister are never fully explained.
%%* NotDisabledInVR
* OhCrap: Ray as a new player, with no job or skills, has to fight what is essentially a high tier monster for his very first quest.
* OneManArmy: King of Destruction uses a Battleship and can destroy a forest in seconds.
* OnePersonOnePower: The game gives each player a special ability called an Embryo, which [[EvolvingWeapon evolves]] based on their [[PersonalityPowers personality]] and [[DieOrFly experiences within the world]], unlocking [[NextTierPowerup up to seven forms of increasing power]]. There are many types of Embryos, but all fall into one of the following categories (sometimes prefixed with another word for Embryos with an unusual focus):
** ''Type: Arms'': The most common type of Embryo, taking the form of a weapon, tool or artificial limb wielded by the Master. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Weapon'' or ''Type: Calculator''.
** ''Type: Guardner'': A tamed monster which doesn't count against the limit the player can control at one time. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Guardian'' (which can act independently) or ''Type: Legion'' (which [[SelfDuplication has multiple bodies]]).
** ''Type: Chariot'': Vehicles, from a carriage to a HumongousMecha. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Gear'' (which [[OnlyICanMakeItGo is more effective when ridden by its Master]]) or ''Type: Advance'' (which [[MechaExpansionPack combines with an existing vehicle to power it up]]).
** ''Type: Castle'': Deployable structures which do not move but have high defense. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: Fortress'' (which is massive in size) or ''Type: Labyrinth'' (which has powers affecting things inside it).
** ''Type: Territory'': Embryos which [[AreaOfEffect impart some effect on an area, and have no physical form]]. At higher levels, sometimes evolves into ''Type: World'' (which [[FieldPowerEffect affects a wide area]]) or ''Type: Rules'' (which [[WrongContextMagic affects only its Master]]).
** ''Type: Maiden'': An uncommon category which functions as an Embryo of another type, but can also [[EquippableAlly transform into a human woman]]. Their abilities are themed around [[DavidVersusGoliath "giant-slaying", being more useful against powerful opponents]]. Named for both its forms, so that a Maiden which turns into a sword would be classified as ''Type: Maiden-with-Arms''.
** ''Type: Apostle'': Another transforming hybrid which functions as the SpearCounterpart to Maidens. Grows very quickly, and has powers related to the concept of "domination" wherein they spread their powers out and rewrite the rules of an area, but doesn't grant any passive bonuses to the Master's stats. Vanishingly rare due to the unusual conditions required to awaken one.
** ''Type: Body'': The rarest known category, which replaces its Master's entire body.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: A plethora of dragons, both pure and demi, as well as mechanical man-made dragons are all a part of the world.
* PlayerGeneratedEconomy: Played with. There was an economy pre-existing before the Masters arrived, but typically Master-made goods are so much better that even the Tians buy them. This has actually put some Tians out of business, while others have to relocate in order to make a living.
* PlayerKilling: There are guilds dedicated to this.
* PoliceAreUseless: Subverted, the Tian authorities have their own classes and aren't completely outclassed by weaker Masters.
* PersonalityPowers: Embryos are based on the personality of the Master that wields them.
* RandomDrop: Special monsters can drop unique, one of a kind items. Masters who get killed will also drop items at random, aside from the aforementioned unique drops.
* RedBaron: There are plenty, some of which overlap with their class titles. Ray The Unbreakable is one of these.
* ReligiousAndMythologicalThemeNaming: All Embryos are named after something from religion, mythology or classic literature with some connection to their abilities, which also serves as the name of their LimitBreak at high levels.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: [[spoiler: The Nox forest is obliterated by Shu because Ray was killed by the Superior Killer, who was hiding there.]]
* SignatureMove: Ray's Vengeance is Mine is one.
* ShoutOut: In addition to the [[ReligiousAndMythologicalThemeNaming mythological themes]] of the Embryos, the series has a number of more contemporary references:
** ''Dendro'''s production lead is named Creator/LewisCarroll, and its control AIs ([[spoiler:or rather, their current pseudonyms]]) are [[ShoutOutThemeNaming based on characters from the author's works]].
** Shu wears a bear mascot costume and acts the part in his spare time, in spite of his looks he's actually a top ranking player who wears the costume into combat, wields a machine gun and has a cloak and dagger hidden agenda. All of this just screams "Checky from ''VideoGame/MapleStory''". Checky is a bear mascot costume-wearing member of a secret resistance, whose dayjob is being a mascot character and he has a {{mech}} suit with machinegun arms, among other ballistic armaments which he wears over his mascot costume, which he reportedly doesn't remove even when he's sleeping. [[spoiler: Also Shu's embryo gives him basically all the same armaments as Checky and then some, including [[TransformingMecha the mechanic class's tank mode]] that Checky never uses.]]
** The name of Dryfe's line of {{Magitek}} HumongousMecha, "Magingear", is reminiscent of [[Anime/MazingerZ Mazinger]]. In-story, the engineers who developed them were a bunch of geeks who just wanted to pilot a SuperRobot, even inviting the professional composer Veldorbell into their guild solely so that he could write an old-school BraggingThemeTune to promote their first successful model.
** Masked Riser styles himself as a Franchise/KamenRider, down to his Embryo being a wind-themed [[CoolBike motorbike]] that transforms into PoweredArmor and gives him a FinishingMove named [[DivingKick "Riser Kick"]]. This is acknowledged in-story, to the point where other characters call him Kamen Rider more often than his actual name.
** The first use of Rook's "Union Jack" [[FusionDance combines himself, a succubus and a Demi-Dragon into]] a "Ryū-Ma-Jin" (Dragon-Devil-Man), which resembles the transformation of the same name from ''Manga/DragonQuestTheAdventureOfDai''.
** [[spoiler: Baldr]]'s battleship form somewhat resembles a monochrome hybrid of [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam SCV-70 White Base]] and [[Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross SDF-1 Macross]]. It even comes with a MacrossMissileMassacre style laser attack.
** When Nemesis [[EvolvingWeapon unlocks her third form]], transforming into a [[LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe shield]], she doesn't gain immediate knowledge of all her abilities like normal. Ray experiments by [[ThrowingYourShieldAlwaysWorks throwing her]]... which soon results in him being chased by an angry, mud-splattered Nemesis shouting "Do you think you're [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Captain America]] or something?!"
* SuperReflexes: Raising your AGI stat gives you these by speeding up your perception of time while in battle.
* TimeAbyss: Certain entities have been around well before even the pre-ancient civilizations, [[spoiler:such as the The Skydragon Drag-Flare.]]
* UndeadChild: A lot of these show up in Volume 2. [[spoiler:The bandits who'd been kidnapping children killed the ones whose parents didn't pay (and they didn't eat) and had a necromancer raise them. Ray laying them to rest was a MercyKill and resulted in him earning the Purifying Silverlight skill.]]
* VideoGameCrueltyPunishment: A player who commits crimes to Tiens end up wanted and not being able to use the country's save point.
* WeaponOfXSlaying: The "Ray Starling Killer" is a monster created by Mr. Franklin with elemental resistances tailored to Ray's attack forms. To counter Ray's SpecialAttack "Vengeance Is Mine" (which lets him strike back against an opponent with double the power of the attacks they hit him with) it has no attacks of its own, instead acting as a mobile pillbox that spawns ranged-attacking monsters inside its body.
* WeirdnessCensor: The Tians don't blink an eye when they see a Master disappear, considering them to be the perfectly normal act of being spirited away to another world.
* WheresTheKaboom: [[spoiler: Mr. Franklin's reaction to failing to manually release the monsters with a second button. (which happened to have a cartoon bomb on it)]]
* WorldTree: Exists in the setting, where the elves live.
* YearInsideHourOutside: Each hour in real life is equal to three within the game.
* YoungerThanTheyLook: [=XunYu=] appears as a tall, menacing Jiangshi. She's also just 9 years old. Hell General Logan Goddhart is slightly older, at 10.
* YourMindMakesItReal: In Infinite Dendrogram the Maiden type Embryo, the most self-aware of all the Embryo types, can only be unlocked by those who believe on some level that the world around them is more than just a game and that the lives of those in it have value.
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