Level cap

[Torgar]

I've been around going on near 3 years now, and so I was there for a good while when there was a cap of 20 and you had to earn time, and now after where it's a free for all of how fast you can level, and I'll be honest, I actually grind LESS now then I used to.

Just hear me out. When there WAS a level cap, people almost always knew what level of power and importance you were based on where you grinded at any time, and most of the time, those people would clique together with people of their own power level and ignore the lowbies. That was definitely how it was when I first started playing. If you weren't in their level bracket, you didn't exist. But look at things now. You can't ever ignore someone based on level, even if today they are grinding viridale, because a few days later they could be your partner fighting the mossdale. It forces people to interact with new people because you don't know who you'll be fighting beside or against, even if you are epic.

So, in my opinion, I believe the removal of the cap was far better for the server, RP wise. Likewise, the fact that you get MORE exp the more people you group with encourages folk to go looking for others to increase their exp gain. Admittedly, they are largely quiet while they grind, but you also have to realize this is a game, and so therefor you don't really have the ability to fully use your character and hold a constant conversation. Suspense of belief in a video game is always necessary from time to time. But after the grind, I often RP with the folk I just grinded with, and that's the point of the server. To beat up monsters, get loot, and then RP with folk over an ale or by the campfire about it all.

Also, for those who have multiple 18+ characters, which DOES include myself, it doesn't make sense to use them as an example of why we need to put the cap back when we don't RP those characters hardly ever. IF you aren't roleplaying them, then they don't count, period. I have many screw-around characters, but I only count 3 of my characters in my vault as mattering at all, the rest are just there because I wanted to test something, or help someone level, or I needed to have a crafter, or any other of a variety of reasons. They don't get rp'd, so they don't count.

Also, the R3CG is accepting applications to join. Simply send a written letter to me, the head of cool gang resources, along with a twenty dollar bill, and we will see about moving your paper work through immediately.

[GodBeastX]

For me this question is a matter of math.

# of complaint threads about open exp gains: 1
# of complaint messages/tells/voices about open exp gains: 0

# of complaint threads about restricted exp gains: Many
# of complaint messages/tells/voices about restricted exp gains: Way more than I could count

Comparing those two values I think the choice is clear.

[thaelis]

I don't mind no lvl cap, as I've seen total stranger pcs suddenly epic in power appear overnight almost. But that is perhaps a bit sillly.

That is what inspired me to write this thread. Sometimes its really hard to RP and just breaks suspension of disbelief when something ridiculous like that happens.

Day1: Me (Lvl 15) meets a 3rd level guy, RP's with him a bit about showing him the ropes, telling him about the valley etc

Day7: Meets the same guy again, who is now level 16 :/ Start RP'ing with the guy about the scariness of Argyle keep... to which he replies "Actually I routinely single-handedly wipe the floor with those zombie-demon scum!"

(Ok might not have been day 7, but at most 10)

[Gamling]

The point is grinding sucks. No one wants to do it. It's a necessary evil. The quicker it gets over with the better IMO.

[Fezzik]

The point is grinding sucks. No one wants to do it. It's a necessary evil. The quicker it gets over with the better IMO.

I loved the old level cap, it did help keep people RP'ing, and you could still grind, even if you didn't get XP. I routinely just made little quests up for something to do other than sitting around the Exigo Campfire... Grinding does suck , but we all do it; partly because we also need money.

[Peridan]

As a DM once mentioned to me when the caps were removed a long time back, don't go feeling inadequate because someone is leveling fast.

The measure of a character's worth isn't in their level, it's in their involvement in the server. I can name at least one PC who isn't level twenty, and holds more political and economic power than most other level 20's combined. So when you see that level 16 who was a level 3 and you feel as though it's unfair, ask yourself this: why do I feel this way? What have they really done that makes them as important in the grand scheme of the server?

Mechanics are important up until a point, but when most folk are on the same playing field in levels (and even when they aren't), the true value of a PC is in their roleplay and contributions to the server and faction. Focus on the roleplay, not the mechanics, and you'll never feel inadequate as long as you've made efforts in that field.

[The Butcher]

I feel that getting to 20 still requires dedication on the player's part, and players feel more comfortable RPing with others when they do not feel horribly crippled by level disadvantage. To these ends, I love the lack of level cap and easier XP.

In fact, I love the direction the server is heading in. The quicker and less emphasis put on grinding XP, the better, and the more focus put on RPing to increase rank and reputation in factions, the better-er.

People get upset when others achieve their level in a lesser amount of time, but like Peridan said, weigh your power in terms of RP, faction, and political first.

[thaelis]

So when you see that level 16 who was a level 3 and you feel as though it's unfair, ask yourself this: why do I feel this way? What have they really done that makes them as important in the grand scheme of the server?

I don't remember I mentioned anywhere in there that I thought its "unfair" :S If I wanted to be level 20 I would already be...i have enough playtime that if I sat there and grinded I could have 2 or 3 level 20's already.

I believe my time is better spent (trying at least) to contribute something to the server.

I said i think its stupid not unfair.

[Peridan]

By insinuating that something is intrinsically wrong with someone going from three to twenty in a week, you are saying it's unfair. And that's all right!

I'm just saying that you shouldn't worry about it, or restricting it, because it doesn't matter in the long run.

Edit: Sorry, it's late and my vision is blurring. I do understand your point about RP immersion breaking, but there are ways to explain that without restricting with a mechanism like caps.

[Doubtful]

Peridan, are you suggesting it's not size that's important, but what you do with it?

[Peridan]

It's too late and I have no witty comment for that, Doubt. You win. You always do.

[thaelis]

Lol...ah this is getting sidetracked. Weapon finesse with dagger over greatsword eh Doubtful?

[The Butcher]

(I accidentally misposted in this thread, so I am adding more opinion since I cannot delete post.)

I believe that the focus should be on rewarding players for roleplaying instead of penalizing or stifling them from grinding. If the rewards of roleplay provide great boons that grinding simply cannot, then everyone will have an incentive to invest a lot more into roleplay. I've always disliked the idea of taking cookies away instead of putting out more appetizing cookies.

[thaelis]

Butcher has a good point there, but greater RP reward from DM's doesn't work if DM's aren't around during your playtimes!

What I would actually love is if all monster XP was taken away and there was only tick XP Then if you go out to kill monsters, you are risking your life for virtually no gain (realism!)

But then there would be no players...

Which might suck a little.

[WhistlerBunny]

I also share some of thaelis' concerns. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I fall into one of those players who have random, limited hours/week to play. RP is my main goal, although majority of it falls outside when DMs are on, or one of the scheduled events.

Translation: practically no XP for most of my time spent on the server.

So it has become an interesting experience for my characters to RP with others who as mentioned before, level so quickly ... That it ruins the RP slightly. They start having access to better skills, crafting, items, etc., which is quite disappointing.

If only there was a way to get rewarded for RP when there isn't a DM hovering over you every second, because right now things are structured to favor grinding hard.