Anime Sword Fighter wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 5:42 pm
R0GUE wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 3:47 pm
Scylon wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2019 12:13 pm
Myself, I'm leveling at a snails pace. Doing the RP on the way to 30 means I'll know a few people when I'm maxed out. Not in any hurry either.
I started playing when EE came out (last March?).
My character is level 25.
I don't understand how people level quickly. True I have taken multiple longish breaks during that time period, but it sounds like some people can level from 1-30 in under a month. Such a thing seems impossible to me.
Same
Some people have just about mastered the mechanics of the game and are able to just belt out 30s like it's nothing! I will never be able to do that. Too much math and too fast math for my brain! I've got no wrist-eye-brain-math coordination to keep up. Straight up grinding melts my brain, and I don't like it. I love writs for that reason, but as I get higher leveled on a character I start to feel the burn out.
I enjoy low leveled gameplay. This is why I like Skal! Lots of low levels in a concentrated area. Not a lot of 30s throwing their mechanical weight around at the drop of a hat. I think it's fun. I do like having the wider spread of abilities that comes with levels, though.
Aso someone that usually gets a character tof mid levels before I fizzle out, I like higher level characters to do things that enable people of all levels to have a part to play. More than just being the heal kit/loot monkey. And not berating people if they aren't as mechanically savvy as you! I don't care if you're just here to grind away, some people will never get to 30 and will never be as good at the game itself as you are. Accept that and think creatively of how to engage others with RP that isn't locked behind having the maximum optimal builds.
There's a gatekeeping mentality behind building characters that I am not a fan of. I understand wanting to have an optimally statted out character, dying is not fun and getting experience hits the right reward systems in the brain that keeps all of us playing. I am excited for haks that will expand upon the core mechanics that can open up the game for play for all levels away from the typical grind till your eyes bleed. Writs are one of these things, although more so lessens the problem I am attempting to describe than revolutionizing it completely.
Part of this entire post is fine, but part worries me.
There exists no RPG or indeed, arguably, any game, where more knowledge of mechanics and grinding does not equal superior power. I don't think this is a bad thing, or something people should relegate themselves to never achieving. Grinding all the time isn't fun for hardly anybody, but if you have trouble with grinding, or if you don't know how to make an optimal build, there are plenty of people (like myself) who would be happy to help, because half the fun of D&D for me and others like me has been building character sheets. It's just fun to see what you can come up with. So, ask, and ye shall receive, if you think you don't know how to build. I'd be happy to help anybody with building.
And, unfortunately, you shouldn't expect to be as relevant in certain situations if you never get your character past mid-levels. If you never get into the 20's, let alone to 30, it's not really a fair expectation that you have an equal shot of being the top knight in the kingdom compared to a level 30 who has also done plenty of RP towards that goal, and has actually attained the prowess and power to get the title of "top duder." Power and pvp are, in fact, meant to be roleplayed out. That's part of the reason I would be happy to help people learn to build, or even just take your idea for what you're looking for and give you a build. Building itself is fun for me, but if you don't like it/aren't good at it, and just give that up, and give up leveling, your character will be barred from certain things.
TL;DR - Nobody will call a level 15 wizard/rogue an archmage of enchantment when there's a handful of epic-leveled wizards with ESF: Enchantment waiting in the wings. Mechanics and levels matter (sometimes).
But yes, you are also right that if a level 30 is just gatekeeping and not stoking fun rp for people, not even fun villain rp, then that's a poopy experience. It happens, but there are IC ways of dealing with that, as well, that I'd like to encourage, such as getting the support of other epic level characters, or getting a group of others regardless of level to go intimidate/persuade/beat up that level 30 gatekeeper, etc. etc. etc., all of which lead to further storytelling. Overthrow the bolsheviks! Be the proletariat uprising you want to see in the world! VIVA LA REVOLUCION!
There are instances of characters who weren't even 20 getting into high positions in settlements like Brogendenstein because they simply were needed and filled a role. The old High Sonnlinor was made such when he was still in his teens, I think, last fall. It depends on your RP to a certain extent. If someone is gatekeeping because of mechanical prowess regardless of anything else, maybe it's time to either
- gain that power,
- find a new place/player to play with,
- find a creative way to mess them up.
My suggestions regarding avoiding burnout on the quest to 30, is to not rush it, do writs as often as possible rather than just grinding an area's mobs (until you get to 21, at which point no more writs), but you don't have to do writs and grinding every day. Being online and roleplaying and crafting and exploring and having fun also gets you some exp from RPR and adventuring exp as well. Don't rush yourself, but if you want to be that top guy who gets the princess and slays the monster, it will require some grind, and others are likely happy to grind with you to make it easier/more fun, and many many others are willing to help you with building if that's where you need assistance.
I hope you have fun either way, even if you disagree, and good luck.
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