[Done for V0.36] Stats don't level up fast enough

[Trantor]

After finishing DM in RTC, I noticed that my characters turned out pretty weak. In the first few levels, the progression seemd to be fairly close to the original, but I hardly got any levels after maybe level 5 or 6.

Here are my characters at the end of the game:


Stamm:

Adept Fighter
Journeyman Ninja
Craftsman Priest
Apprentice Wizard

Health: 248
Stamina: 138
Mana: 35

Strength: 56
Dexterity: 45
Wisdom: 39
Vitality: 53
Anti-Magic: 47
Anti-Fire: 59


Boris:

Adept Fighter
Journeyman Ninja
Arisan Priest
Artisan Wizard

Health: 224
Stamina: 190
Mana: 100

Strength: 46
Dexterity: 50
Wisdom: 58
Vitality: 45
Anti-Magic: 72
Anti-Fire: 47


Now, here is the lone Boris I used in DM PC some time ago. Keep in mind, though, that he was a single character while I took two in DM RTC; also, since I always reincarnate characters which raises stats in DM PC and CSBWin, but decreases them in RTC. So, this Boris should of course be stronger than my RTC characters - but certainly not as much as he now is!


Boris:

LO Master Fighter
Adept Ninja
Expert Priest
UM Master Wizard

Health: 513
Stamina: 389
Mana: 201

Strength: 54
Dexterity: 61
Wisdom: 74
Vitality: 52
Anti-Magic: 75
Anti-Fire: 56

Of course, it is especially interesting to compare the two Boris'. I did not play much differently in both games - I went to every secret place and killed every monster in my path (with only a handful of exceptions). The difference in levels gained seems massive to me. Because of the XP algorithm that requires double the previous XP for a new level, a single character should roughly have one more level in each profession when compared to a character in a 2-character party.

So, maybe a level multiplier would be in order; another possibility would be to change the "double your XP per level"-algorithm so that characters would level up a bit faster later on. However, the multiplier would allow more options for designers.

So, what are everybody's opinions about this? I think this should be changed, as leveling up is an important part of the progression the player makes. Watching your characters grow is vital to the playing experience and should not be limited to the first few levels gained.

[Sophia]

I think one way that could possibly work would be a per-level option to give an XP "number." Perhaps the current RTC default could be arbitrarily declared as "10."

Then a level set to 1 would give 1/10th the XP, one set to 5 would give one half, one with 20 would give double, and so on.

[George Gilbert]

since I always reincarnate characters which raises stats in DM PC and CSBWin, but decreases them in RTC.

This just isn't true!

For example, I've just loaded the DM dungeon in CSBWin and reincarnated Zed (who starts with stats 40,40,40,50,40,40) and in CSBWin his new stats are 35,37,38,45,36,37...i.e they have all gone down.

I agree however that the levels aren't high enough. I've actually already made a tweak to the XP model that means that you'll get more at higher levels (but stay roughly the same at lower levels).

[Trantor]

For example, I've just loaded the DM dungeon in CSBWin and reincarnated Zed (who starts with stats 40,40,40,50,40,40) and in CSBWin his new stats are 35,37,38,45,36,37...i.e they have all gone down.

Did you use DM rules? If yes, I think he stats are always higher, but I could be wrong... Anyway, good to hear that you did something to the XP model George!

[George Gilbert]

Did you use DM rules?

Doh.

I'll have another play with the stat values and come up with a model that fits both sets of rules...

[George Gilbert]

Now done for V0.36