Platform Differences
Mobile vs Web — closer to identical than you'd think.
Overview
MainQuest's core gameplay loop — quests, habits, XP, leveling, attributes, HP and death, XP modifiers, and push notifications — is full parity between mobile and web. Both platforms run through the same shared backend logic for almost everything.
The genuine differences are narrower than you might expect: how each platform syncs data, one visual writing effect, and one calendar interaction. The table below documents every real difference — and confirms parity everywhere else.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mobile | Web | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death mechanics | Full system (HP ≤ 0 → death screen) | Full system (HP ≤ 0 → death screen) | Full parity |
| Second Chance Scroll revival | Self-revive or friend-revive | Self-revive or friend-revive | Full parity |
| Quest abandon HP penalty | -10 HP (generic HP endpoint, quest kept) | -10 HP (dedicated route, quest deleted + logged) | Same penalty, different implementation |
| Age-based quest XP bonus | 1.0–2.0x, shared formula | 1.0–2.0x, shared formula | Full parity — computed server-side |
| Clarity Buff (1.2x XP, 4h) | Full support | Full support | Full parity |
| Dawn Scrolls location | Dedicated screen | Section inside Morning Routine | UI location differs, mechanic doesn’t |
| Vanishing ink (Dawn Scrolls) | Available | Not available | Genuinely mobile-only |
| Fatigue penalty (0.5x XP) | Formula exists, nothing writes it | Formula exists, nothing writes it | Dead on both platforms today |
| Habit attribute linking | Multiple attributeIds[] | Multiple attributeIds[] | Full parity |
| Habit XP + subpoint awarding | Automatic on check-in | Automatic on check-in | Full parity |
| Habit check-in undo | Same-day only, via “Undo Today” | Same-day only, via undo button | Full parity |
| Daily/recurring quest reset | Server-side, lazy on fetch | Server-side, lazy on fetch | Full parity — shared logic |
| Surge mode | Available | Available | Full parity |
| Push notifications | Supported (FCM) | Supported (FCM Web Push) | Full parity — shared backend |
| Calendar drag-to-reschedule | Not yet enabled | Calendar (month) view only | Genuinely web-only today |
| Sync strategy | Local-first, offline queue | Server-authoritative | Real architectural difference |
| Offline mode | Full support | Primarily online (tolerates brief drops) | Real difference |
Key Differences Explained
Death Mechanics — Full Parity
When your HP drops to 0, your character dies and you are locked out of gameplay on both platforms — this used to be mobile-only, but web now has an identical blocking death screen. A Second Chance Scroll revives you either way, and you can use one on yourself while fallen, not just receive one from a friend. See the HP, XP & Death guide.
XP Modifiers — Full Parity
The Clarity Buff (1.2x for 4 hours from Dawn Scrolls) and the age-based quest bonus (1.0–2.0x) are both computed in the shared server pipeline and apply on either platform. The fatigue penalty (0.5x when exhausted) also exists as shared code — but nothing currently writes the value that would trigger it, so it's effectively dormant on both platforms, not a mobile exclusive.
Sync Strategy — Real Difference
The mobile app uses a local-first approach — all data is stored on your device and synced to the server when you have an internet connection. The web app is server-authoritative, meaning most writes go directly to the backend (with a small allowlisted queue for brief connectivity drops). Both platforms share the same underlying data.
Habit Attribute Linking — Full Parity
Both platforms use the same model: a habit can link to multiple attributes, and every linked attribute gains subpoints automatically on check-in. There is no single-vs-multiple mismatch between mobile and web today.
Vanishing Ink — Genuinely Mobile-Only
On mobile, older lines of a Dawn Scrolls journal entry visually fade into mist as you keep writing. The web version of Dawn Scrolls (a section inside the Morning Routine, rather than its own screen) is a plain text box — same journaling mechanic and the same Clarity Buff payoff, just without the fading effect.
Calendar Drag-to-Reschedule — Genuinely Web-Only
On the web Calendar (month) view, you can drag a quest to a new day to reschedule it. Mobile has the same drop-target logic wired up in code, but no working way to start the drag yet — so today, this one really is web-only. See the Calendar guide.
Which Platform Should I Use?
Since almost everything is full parity, this comes down to workflow, not missing features.
Use Mobile When...
- You need full offline access
- You want push notification reminders on your phone
- You want the vanishing-ink Dawn Scrolls writing effect
Use Web When...
- You want quick access from a desktop or laptop
- You prefer a larger screen for managing quests
- You want to drag quests around on the Calendar
