There are no fixed classes or levels. Players customize their "adventurers" (Humans, Elves, or Dwarves) by assigning skill percentages and spending experience points to improve specific traits.

The game's philosophy emphasizes speed and lethality. Character generation is designed to be exceptionally fast, allowing players to jump into adventures quickly—a necessary feature given that character death is a common occurrence.

The physical version of Ruin Masters was a kickstarter success, but print runs were limited. Today, a used hardcover can fetch over $150 on eBay. This scarcity is the primary driver behind the search for the , but the digital version offers concrete advantages beyond price: