expRez

expRez is a hypothetical feature in role-playing and strategy games that enables players to reclaim and reallocate earned experience points (XP) or skill points after they have been gained. The term combines "experience" with "rez," a shorthand for resurrection or reallocating resources.

In practice, expRez is implemented as an in-game option or mechanic that refunds a portion of XP to a usable pool and allows redistribution across attributes, skills, or talent trees. Access is typically limited by cooldowns, cost in in-game currency, a one-time per character restriction, or prerequisites such as reaching a milestone.

Design goals include increasing player experimentation, enabling course correction after suboptimal choices, and extending the perceived lifespan of progression systems. Common trade-offs involve balancing concerns (making respecs cheap may devalue commitment to choices), potential inflation of progression, and added UI complexity.

Technical considerations include tracking XP ownership, ensuring consistency with derived stat bonuses, and updating dependent systems (quests, abilities) after reallocation. Some implementations separate "XP" and "skill points" to preserve progression at the character level while permitting respec at the skill level.

Reception and status: expRez is a theoretical mechanism discussed in game design literature and among designers as a tool for flexibility. Critics argue it can erode progression fidelity or be exploited in multiplayer balance scenarios; advocates cite improved accessibility and experimentation.

Related concepts include respec and experience points.