Hypothetical Question

[Kangleton]

Sundren has a maximum level (via grinding) set to 20. If, say, the maximum level was lowered to 10 and everyone above that level was likewise lowered to 10, how would you react?

PROS:

-smaller gap between noobs and veterans, preventing noob-discouragement.
-PvP and PvE balance becomes easier.
-nobody is stupidly OP by comparison to the next guy.
-high magic stuff becomes more rare and a bigger deal.
-realism and amazement become easier to maintain.
-mundane classes are more useful.

CONS:

-you delevel.
-you don't get access to all class abilities.

This is hypothetical and out of curiosity. This does not reflect any staff direction or decision that I'm aware of. I just want to know if people would react well or poorly were such a thing come to pass.

[BattlePixie]

Wouldn't that make it difficult to build certain PC's and get to certain PRC's? I know with some of the builds i've made, I get to my PRC around lvl 10 or 13.

Also it would make more than a few areas irrelivant without a major overhaul.

[Lollercide]

It could work, with tweaking. Just like what we have now can work, with tweaking. Why tackle an unfamiliar beast when you can work with one you know?

[wangxiuming]

I would be interested ... on a different server. If Alyrian gets deleveled again I think I might jump out the window.

... and land in a bush outside my apartment, scrape myself off, and wait outside my door for my roomie to let me back in. =X

[Handsomeman]

When I first joined Sundren, level 10 was considered the higher levels. Sundren's low magic and low level setting at the time was one of the main things that attracted me to play in Sundren. In my opinion it is more balanced, more people closer to your level, and in my opinion more fun. At my current level of 20, I regret not being able to join some of the lower level parties because I fear I might take away their exp gain. But if maximum level was 10, everyone's level will be close enough to encourage more partying. I also find that at lower levels, spells and items are vastly more significant when compared to higher levels. Some lower level spells become obsolete at higher levels. Base weapon bonuses are obsolete when cast greater magic weapon on it. I also find that challenges are more fun at lower levels, doesn't feel like you can just power your way through everything. But this coming from a person who is currently playing as a level 20 warrior as his main may be a bit hypocritical.

[OnyxTigress]

It would be very interesting, but I think it would ultimately defeat the purposes of prestige classes.

[Philosopher]

I'd honestly enjoy this. Maybe not 10, more like 12 or 13, or even back at its original cap of 15.

Rant Warning.

D&D, and by much the same extent Nwn2, has what is known as a "sweet spot" between levels 5-12. During these levels, players are not so weak as to get crit-killed or otherwise super-owned by unfortunate rolls, monsters are typically of a good challenging level and not yet possessing anything powerfully abusive, and spells have not yet reached the point of insanity. Above level 12, the game skews sharply into imbalance because of the spellcasting system introducing its instant-knockout spells at around level 12-13 and upwards. It's the same in D&D as it is in Nwn2: a caster with Finger of Death, Bibgy's, Destruction, Implosion, Harm, Maze, Disintegrate, etc. is going to quickly pull ahead in the power department while non-casters will simply and slowly continue to do what they do. Keeping the cap around 12-15 will still give those casters some of that power, but only in very small doses, so they'll be forced to use them sparingly.

I've been a fan of lowering the cap for a while now, and I'd support it fully.

[Kaybrie]

I prefer soft-caps to hard caps... IE; mob designs that favor 1-8 levels. After level 10 grinding just becomes not worth-while, RP exp and DM exp still exist to allow players to continue to progress, but the 11+ content exists as a longtime reward for old players who actually dedicate themselves to their characters and survive to that point.

[Lothoir]

11 would be much better.

Assuming the lowered cap is soft I would be in favor of this so long as DM's were to be more free with xp rewards for events, thus allowing characters to reach mid teen and higher levels.

I'd also hope that characters above level 20, who could have only gotten their xp from RP, would be allowed to retain the xp gained past the 190,000 needed for level 20. Example: A level 21 is brought back down to level 10 with everyone else, but the 210,000 xp he has would be subtracted from 190,000 to give them 20,000 bonus xp. they would be delevelled from 21 to 11, on the cusp of hitting 12. That would give longstanding characters a leg up that they have earned.

[Kaizen]

definitely love the idea.

Maybe have the 'epic' levels post 11 gained by DM experience rewarded with more Feats.

Of course, you have to get rid of the vampires for this to happen, and a lot of the post 20+ characters that put alot of time, effort and dedication would get the shaft.

[[DM] Grinning Death]

I'd be more in favor of the 15 cap. When I first got here that's how it was, and anyone over that was considered, "Whoa, super powerful! He's level 17!!!"

And that could only be done through massive DM events.

[wangxiuming]

Question: I think I was gone when it happened, so I'm a little curious - why was the level 15 cap removed? Was it a part of the server changes that are being/will be implemented (including revised mobs, essence death system, etc.?)

[Raksha]

I believe it was removed when Mossdale was put in, as there was (theoretically) an area for them then.

EDIT: I think the idea would have real merit for some other server, or if the Great Revision isn't as far along as has been implied. It would mean an abundance of areas for every level 'band' since all the server's areas would be spread out among fewer groups. However, it would require a lot of tweaks and changes, and it would also put quite a bit of the server in that band where combat makes me want to gouge out my eyes with a rusty spoon -- before characters get their second attack.

[roguethree]

I would have been 100 percent for this change before GBX removed the level governor. That barrier displaced, a lot of the problems of a 1 - 20 server will be alleviated; several PCs already have gone from level 1 to post-10 in a very short time.

Scaling back the level cap would require a rework of all of the faction stores, and PCs would need their gear scaled back, as well, as a level 12 with +4 armor just shouldn't be.

I wouldn't throw a fit if the cap were moved back. I'd be interested in seeing the parity, and as Crow said, levels 5 - 12 are the sweet spot. However, I think this server's intent is to provide content for high level PCs, an epic story arc that takes advantage of what so many PCs are capable of.

The devs are working on several mechanical changes to adjust the way Sundren plays, and those changes might deliver the balance we're looking for. I'd rather see what Sundren grows into than pull back the cap right now.

[Gorri]

Hail folks,

I went the other way with this. I think lvl 20 cap achieves a fair amount of balance and maintains awe and such when compared to a lvl 30 server which is pretty much everywhere else I've played in NWN2. Spell caster builds have to sacrifice a lot of lvls in other classes to get those higher lvl spells.

A lvl 10 cap would mean a spell lvl 5 cap on all casters pretty much. Meh... I don't like it.

In a different server I think I'd like to try it. I've just spent so much time on my character and trying to adjust to the ropes of a lvl 20 cap that it would be kind of a waste for me.

My two pennies.

G