Player Scry (Character Level)

[Thaelis]

It would be neat if instead of showing your precise level it just gave a general idea of relative level. Seems like most players (>50%) hide their level, I'm assuming because they think knowing other's level detracts from RP or may cause you to inadvertantly metagame.

Pesonally, I do display my level, because it's too hard to figure out who to party with otherwise. I only have small windows of time to play and if I had to "RP it out" to find out others' levels, I wouldn't have time left to play (plus some players go up 5+ levels in 1 day!).

Something akin to this would be cool:

Comparable (0-3 levels difference)
Weaker / Stronger (4-6 levels)
Much Weaker / Much Stronger (7-9 levels)
Overwhelmingly Weaker / Overwhelmingly Stronger (10+ levels)

Just the random firing of neurons, if it's too much work or has some drawback I didn't consider, please ignore ><

[renshouj]

I think thats a bit too many letters to fit in the section of the scry window... That said, I think this suggestion has a lot of merit. I hide my levels because yes, I do feel like it detracts from possible RP to OOCly know what level someone is, but at the same time it *could* be a useful tool for grouping.

[Ghost]

It actually used to be "+" (1-10), "++" (11-20) and "+++" (21-30), but people asked for more specific.

Having an indicator of how far away your character is from another character is an interesting idea. But I think most people would still like to be able to hide it. I can't comment on the feasibility of it.

But I'm not sure it would make any more sense than having just straight numbers. The potential for metagaming remains there: How would your character be able to determine "overwhelmingly stronger" or any other level difference?

[Thaelis]

....I think thats a bit too many letters to fit in the section of the scry window.....

True! I guess something like this would work:
---
--
-
0
+
++
+++

.....The potential for metagaming remains there: How would your character be able to determine "overwhelmingly stronger" or any other level difference?.....

Absolutely. I realise there would still be potential to metagame (and actually if you really wanted to find out someone's level you could still deduce their level when they cross a threshold etc etc), but that involves active calculation, rather than passive.

I just think more people would display their level if it were this way. It would be more "grainy" than exact numbers, while also still allowing people to group up easily. I am not at all suggesting the opt-out feature be removed!

I mean, yes...how would they be able to determine "overwhelmingly stronger", but the way it is right now they can determine exact level, so it would definitely be an improvement. It would be more like "This guy looks like he's seen plenty of battles...." rather than what we have now of "This guy has 300+hp, AC 40+, 36 Str, saves of +30, SR 32 and could easily take down 12 balors".

[blazerules]

Ill admit i never understood hiding your level.

Youre either level 30 or not. Doesn't matter eitherway does it? Im not sure what im missing with people who hide it.