Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Wolfrayne wrote:Why dont we just cut off epic levels all together, that would make things even easier no? easier for DM to balance events, you could get rid of the 3b20 rule. everyone is happy. and it would reflect the actual power level of the setting much better.

And completely and utterly limit class combinations of more exotic natures, limiting complexity.

The 100% RCR is unlikely to ever be brought back, selective exp refund for major changes are more likely.

I enjoy playing a character/RP concept I have in mind without having to spend inordinate amounts of time achieving that concept, especially when I have already invested much time playing out that concept and the server releases a new class that is far more relevant to the concept than my current build (read: Dragon Disciple -- something that for years I've been hoping for, and for years, I've been force-feeding the classes prior to DD into my character concept).

This is not clear. What is "playing a character" to you ? Because for me it systematically implies adventuring as this is D&D. I take it that the power loss from going from 30 to 20 hurts when you're simply changing an existing character to take into account changes but this is the occasion to explore new areas, experiment and meet new people, far from a curse.

I have a new suggestion, made in the same spirit as others in this thread.

When you first enter Nexus a random amount of XP is assigned to your character and you can level them up as you see fit. You are stuck with that until the next reboot.

1. As gear has no level limits there's no problems on that front and you will still be recognisable as you
2. You will get to experience all of the server over time
3. You won't need RCR any longer
4. The reason for XP grinding disappears, which will make for more RP

Valefort wrote: leveling isn't supposed to be a chore,

It IS a chore. I largely see it as a very unpleasant process I have to go through in order to get character into state I had in mind in the beginning.

Wolfrayne wrote:Why dont we just cut off epic levels all together, that would

No. It would suck.

Valefort wrote: leveling isn't supposed to be a chore, if it's seen like that then things have to be made more enjoyable (and I don't mean faster) instead of trying to evade it at all costs.

I believe this sums up everything nicely:
(It is the CNN's its an apple commercial).

What I want to to do is log on and RP my character, however due to the server rules I need to be level 23 before my character is able to stop grinding and RP the concept I have in mind. I have already RPed the process of developing, but now I am ready to focus on plot and story. Something which I also need to be around level 25ish to really get involved.

Why is 25 needed? The Polvich plot is not tailored for level 5s, it is not tailored for level 15s. These encounters are for level 30s. Do I want to watch and listen to the tales of how someone else saved the sword coast or do I want to RP and be involved? This being D&D I want to be involved.

Now the DM team can testify that I am active (all three of my characters are doing things, interacting with the world and requesting that their sheets and stats rather than my player knowledge be used to achieve things). The team however is not unlimited so a tailor made plot just for me is not likely to happen. Which means I need to be able to be useful for plots for level 30 characters.

That brings up back to the banana err apple. How is XPing fun? Plots, not the same things every week, but stories which characters achieve things. My favorite one so far was the DM plot with the cult sacrificing two teens and a cow. It had a beginning, middle, and an end.

The team however is not unlimited so a tailor made plot just for me is not likely to happen. Which means I need to be able to be useful for plots for level 30 characters.

Flat. Out. Wrong. Period.

You can tell me banana as much as you want but for me leveling is still an apple and not a chore. You're not powerful enough for Polvich's plot ? Well so what ? Yes, sit back and look epic guys do most of the saving the world job while you do what you can. Those same level 30s won't come around a level 15 event.

DM events are exceptions, most of the time what you can play with are the players and the environment. If you only enjoy DM events you're preparing yourself a very sour brew.

Valefort wrote:

The team however is not unlimited so a tailor made plot just for me is not likely to happen. Which means I need to be able to be useful for plots for level 30 characters.

Flat. Out. Wrong. Period.

You can tell me banana as much as you want but for me leveling is still an apple and not a chore. You're not powerful enough for Polvich's plot ? Well so what ? Yes, sit back and look epic guys do most of the saving the world job while you do what you can. Those same level 30s won't come around a level 15 event.

DM events are exceptions, most of the time what you can play with are the players and the environment. If you only enjoy DM events you're preparing yourself a very sour brew.

You can say flat our wrong all day long. That there are so many threads on it, so many people saying so speaks for itself. Its still an apple.

DM events are not an exception either. Earlier today there was a party, there was a level 8, my character was a level 20. So I did not go. Another character was 14 another character was 23 so he didn't go. Level caps meant everyone couldn't just group up, RP and play.

But going back to the DM event I am pretty sure that level 8 is going to have a lot of fun with Polvich and the demi lich and everything one shooting her. Or she can stand in the back and do nothing. Or perhaps simply grind some levels so she is high enough of a level.

It remains an apple. Saying it is

Flat. Out. Wrong. Period

doesn't change it is an apple. Or all these threads would not exist.

tl;dr

Click the YouTube video.

So really then the problem is all these mega plots designed for 50 level 30s? Thought so.

Thorsson wrote:So really then the problem is all these mega plots designed for 50 level 30s? Thought so.

I personally would be happy to see these plots ran for the level 15s. I think if people could just play with their friends and do things nobody would be complaining about leveling being to slow. They would be busy playing and having fun rather than following the staff endorsed response.

Yes, sit back and look epic guys do most of the saving the world job while you do what you can. Those same level 30s won't come around a level 15 event.

I am not sure about anyone else, however I did not join the server to simply listen to others say how cool their epic adventures were. I thought D&D was about going out and having a few.

Zyx wrote:BANANA BANANA BANANA

I hope you realize that's what this thread sounds to me (and I realize that's what I'm saying for you).

It is clear our respective experiences are different, for example I played around 4 hours on the server today and there was no DM online ever, much less any event. So altough I have quite a bit of trouble believing yours (I can also call the forum to help my pov with the countless posts about enjoyable non-DM adventures, i'm not alone) remember that most of the time DMs are not around you and that the environment and players are what remain... so if you don't appreciate playing with the environment and consider it a chore I pity you.

As for that level 8 depending on the DM he might be able to do something important, not direct combat sure, but there can be other options. RP doesn't begin at level 30, those guys merely have more options.

You can have meaningful RP at any level. Period.

Back on track though, I really liked the OP's idea of a clever gold sink. Cant say anything about the RCR though. I dont have all the time in the world, but I dont find leveling to be a chore, especially when there are plenty of people to interact with while doing so.

Valefort wrote:

Zyx wrote:BANANA BANANA BANANA

I hope you realize that's what this thread sounds to me (and I realize that's what I'm saying for you).

It is clear our respective experiences are different, for example I played around 4 hours on the server today and there was no DM online ever, much less any event. So altough I have quite a bit of trouble believing yours (I can also call the forum to help my pov with the countless posts about enjoyable non-DM adventures, i'm not alone) remember that most of the time DMs are not around you and that the environment and players are what remain... so if you don't appreciate playing with the environment and consider it a chore I pity you.

As for that level 8 depending on the DM he might be able to do something important, not direct combat sure, but there can be other options. RP doesn't begin at level 30, those guys merely have more options.

See I can do that as well still you made your point clear. You believe players should:

Yes, sit back and look epic guys do most of the saving the world job while you do what you can. Those same level 30s won't come around a level 15 event.

And the view that everything is fine so a few may shine supports that. Likewise mentioning level 15 plots which are not ran on any sort of regualr basis nor have I seen evidence of any plots which 15+ are told not to attend.

While you may deflect, insult, and say everything else is different to distract from the facts. It still an apple. People play to be involved not to cheer on level 30s. Most people are still saying the same thing and you can mock me all day at the end of the day. Its still an apple.

Valefort wrote:if you don't appreciate playing with the environment and consider it a chore I pity you.

There is this. It is accurate and in the worst case, simply good advice: play in the environment that your PC is "best" in, i.e., the Level it is, BE that PC in parallel to the environment (which, btw, BGTSCC does have a CR for every level, and, DMs can easily make any Level PC useful in any Event...however, Events and Storylines can just as easily be catered to Level 1s as to Level 30s).

The best is the assumption that the Polvich storyline is somehow "only for Epics." LOL. Did you read that, hear that?! L.O.L. Because the Windspells have been involved in that storyline from Levels 8 until Levels 19. And at all times, we have had the ability to be an integral part of that Storyline, if the Players wished to be!

So, yeah, what I'm saying is it is most often a Player perception problem.

As far as the Polvich plot, saying you have to be level thirty is flat out wrong. I should know; Rania wasn't even over twenty one when she got involved by having the visions, and has been in since. She only hit thirty for the very first time about two months ago. It's not based on level at all. Just find someone who is actively in it, or be on when DM Spartacus is on in the AM (US morning) and find some of the plot clues etc they leave around the server.

I think people treat this too much like a MMORPG. You dont need to be max level to be part of something. you just need a willingness to accept you wont be the "Almighty hero" every time.

That being said i dont enjoy being part of an event DM or otherwise and having some lvl 30 come along and crap all over my lvl 10's abilities. but that doesn't happen with the right people.