Why is everyone obsessed with getting to 275?

[GandalfTheWise]

theres like 50 threads on "omg it will take 5.4 years to reach 275 with 9 hours of hunting a night, i cant do that!!!" Last time i checked the game name wasnt "Asheron's Challenge to hit max level". back in the day there was maybe a handful of level 126 people and maybe under 50 people in the 100s. Max level is not something that everyone is supposed to accomplish. It is supposed to be a crowning acheivement showing your dedication to the game. I sure hope that it takes as long as everyone is whining about, cause what would the point be if it only took say 9 months from 126 - 275? so basicly we would have the same game we have now with everyone capped again and whining about the lack of higher content.

Now, obviously turbine is aware that they need higher XP/hour places for the 126+ players. They are adding a new island... what do you want to bet there will be sweet hunting there? I realize you people are probably just bored at work and need to type about something, but complaining about things that are not even in game yet is pretty sad. Just let turbine work on their game, it will come out, and you will be happy. If not, then go to another game...


edit: also think about, being a 126 2-3 years ago meant a totally different thing then it did now. Now you can be in a fellow and make 30mill an hour easy. When i played, fellows on aerlinthe flows making like 8mill an hour were godly, think about maxing out to 126 then compared to now. Its a different situation and i think they mean to make it like it used to be. Getting to 275 will be a challenge not a calculated amount of time

[Zaerik-MT]

Hehe i havent seen any post like that yet

[Paraduck]

For many, a large part of the game is viewed based on what level you are. Although the devs have stated that we're not going to be required to be level 275 to experience all of the new content in the expansion, some players still think they're going to miss out on something. I suppose it's partly because of the mentality that higher levels bring more options and power, although the ratio between level and attack/defense power starts to rapidly decline after level 150 or so.

Another point you brought up is the ease of leveling these days. It's true; it no longer takes as much time to reach 126 as it did when the best XP was 5 million/hour at the Aerlinthe lava flows. However, the game has changed and I suspect that some want to have 275 be reached as easily as 126 is today. That would be a bad idea, and I think upping XP to a fairly-easily obtainable 50 million/hour was a bad idea without introducing more levels and new things to do at those levels.

Some people have the mentality and play style that a lot of the game is to reach the max level. Other's don't. Plus, many people like high numbers -- whether it be their level, skill values, or XP/hour.

[Nocturne]

After level 200, it takes roughly 1 Billion experience per level (don't quote me though), and the time it takes to level doubles every 25 levels or so.

So let's say at the very upper tier you're looking at 3 Billion experience to go to the next and final level, 275.

Assume there's only "50M/hr" hunting spots. That will take 60 hours of FIGHTING time (time that doesn't include buffs, restocking, etc.) assuming you maintain the constant rate. Casual gamers who play 2 hours a day will never see it - it'll take them 120 days to reach just one level?!

I feel that it'd be in the best interests of the high-level content to have areas like what Marae Lassel had - the plateau for 35+.

I'd hope that the Developers go and do something like this.

To get to the medium-grade mountain, you have to be 125+. To get to the high mountain, you must be 175+. To get to the peak, you have to be 200+.

Either THAT or continue adding harder dungeons (a la OHN/BDC) to the base of existing dungeons.

The monsters can't be that much harder because the skill difference from a Level 150 to Level 175 will vary only slightly - a few points in each skill. Characters have already maximized skills in their late 130's/early 140's if they focus enough into it.

My worry is that we're going to get these dungeons and Turbine's going to make them ungodly to kill. That's not to say I want it easy, but an Annihilator Dungeon on Aphus Lassel would be nice for something like a 75M/hr fellowship if strategically placed a la Lacuna style. You'd have to restrict it, that's all. You'd have to put it on as 150+.

Then, add a new dungeon - Demolisher Tusker - for 200+ and make that average 100M/hr in fellowship. Do the same thing with Olthoi, Undead, Golems, et. al.

Mount Naipsenset has a dungeon of all Gold Golems. Good xp if you can kill it fast. Perhaps this was on the right track of things to do.

The key to making this work is restricting it to certain level classes.

A level 200 needs over 40B experience to get there. What's 275? Probably like 100 B?

Assume 50M/hr = 800 hours of hunting for level 275ish
Casual Player = 2 hours hunting/day = 400 days
Hardcore Player = 6 hours hunting/day = 133.3 days

This is assuming religiously hunting, with nothing coming up in RL...

[MaddyFF]

Not everyone, I'm not. I'm even planning on creating a new character so I can do the newbie stuff with the new race.

[Darthakio]

I'm with Maddy on this one, high levels have never been my interest. Although I do feel like I have to do them to do all the fun quests. I'm an Ultra-casual player. :P

I've been playing since 1999, and my max is level 75. I've never gone higher before.

I'm all about creating another noob and trying out all the new stuff they add for the new heritage group. :)

[Gordian]

Gandalf it is absolutely NOT your place to tell other people what their goals should or should not be.

Realistically this game will have around 2 years left after the expansion. Considering that many people DO want to hit 2XX it would be in Turbine's best interest to allow people to feel like they are making adequate progress toward that goal so they remain interested but also not make it too easy so that everyone's goals are met in 6 months.

I hope that most people are able to hit 2XX by the time they are done with the game. There's nothing mystical about it.. it's just a level and a goal.

There are a number of very successful mmorpgs out there that allow subscribers to reach the maximum level in 3 to 12 months. There's really nothing wrong with it as long as the development staff keeps adding new possible goals.

[Rhinehold_LC]

I wish to get to 275, so that i can say that i mastered my mage. Then i want to set to work on doing the same with my Axer. Everyone has different play styles, and i think that generally Turbine does a good job of catering to the multitude of different play styles.

Bottom line. If you dont like to power-game, or power-level, then dont and just ignor those people who do. Your not missing out on anything unless you believe that you are. Play your game and let others play theirs. Group with like minded people and ignore everyone else.

Above all, do what you have to, to have fun. Thats why we all play.

-R

[Mildly amused]

"Obsessed, whining." So much blabla when trying to make a point. Still.

The advantages of leveling quick:
- it tends to keep players who started together in closer vicinity, ie Im more likely to be able to go to quests with my friend the casual player if he gains levels at a relatively higher speed.

- it allows me to get different characters with different templates to a reasonable level. Thats especially helpful if there are later in game 'perceived problems :p ' with the performance of one of em

- people like to see advancement/change/pressing small green triangles. Give people a sense of stagnation and they will leave. All? No not all, but many.

- exploration is a significant motivation when playing RPGs. Telling some people: Sorry you cant explore this corner of the world until you killed 1.500.000 more tuskers isnt too encouraging.

- we had massive UCMing/cheating in the past of this game. Some of it is still left. Rewarding the UCM/cheaters by giving extraordinary rewards at high levels is going to piss off current and especially new players.

- pvp: for many people who like to pvp, leveling is just a means to enjoy what they want to. Being competetive requires a certain amount of xp. The quicker they have that xp, the better for them.

I am much more likely to quit a game when I feel the developers are putting me in a treadmill than a game where I have reached maximum level and there is still new loot to find, new areas to explore and new quests where I can fail miserably. With AC system of added monthly content I dont really see that danger.

[GandalfTheWise]

well the thing with leveling past like 120ish or so is that you really dont advance much anymore. someone level 130 might have 5 more points in war then me at 120, so really level advancement is just a number unless they plan on adding something to high levels besides these augmentation gems. which by the way they talk about them is their big solution to pointless high lvl play

[Nocturne]

Gandalf, that's grossly incorrect. At level 120, you have about 3 billion experience, right?

Assuming you're a mage (you are called Gandalf, aren't you :) ), you've got at least a few attributes/skills to be aware of: Endurance for the S2M, Focus, Self, Strength and Quickness to SOME Extent, War, Life, Creature, Item, Mana Conversion... just to start.

Your 3 billion will get quite a bit invested into those skills, but I think it's more accurate that after Level 150 as Paraduck said that the levelling starts getting "pointless" since most skills the character really cares about are extremely high to raise.

I'm level 139 and I'm 3 more points (about 850M xp) from maximizing my coordination. Needless to say, though, everything else is lacking. Some of my skills are in the sub-millions to raise, but most of my combat skills (Bow, Melee Defense, Quickness) are starting to get a bit expensive.

With that said, I think I will continue to raise all my stats/certain things until I'm moreso around Level 175 because I'm more of a hybrid, favoring Endurance as well as Focus-entwined skills.

[Catalina Estmad]

may I ??

before all this 275 stuff for the new Xpack ppl where in a rush to get to 126

they just want to lv up that is all
:p

so no matter what the lv cap is there wil lalways be someone looking to get there :p

[GandalfTheWise]

yeah, but the game was out for what 2 years before someone maxxed out? and they were leaders of large monarchys giving them a big exp advantage. People now are complaining because leveling from 126 to 275 will take long. What do you want to traverse that gap in 6-12 months? what will you do in the game then? i think it should take a minimum of 2 years to go from 126-275. seeing as you could probably hit 126 in a couple months of hardcore playing

[Harzah]

I don't know but I don't think everyone is, quite. To be honest I don't quite understand the shock about how large the number is, the xp required etc. Where else is the number going to go except up really?

There's those who enjoy the path (nevermind the 'milestones' along the way) and those who just want to get to the end of the road. I think the ones who're freaking out are more in the middle of the spectrum, who maybe don't have the will, the time, or whatever you want to call it, to really powergame to the very 'end' and are worried now they won't make it at all in a "reasonable" amount of time. Everyone's view of what's 'reasonable' differs of course. Overall, I'm with the group that thinks reasonable is several years but, well, that definitely wouldn't please everyone, and it is kind of an artificial limit (sort of like making people slow down by making the road longer, instead of making more things to see along it.) And there are still those who'll blow right passed everything that I, for instance, actively enjoy.

So, anyway, I don't care if they make the new magic number 275, myself. I don't care about XP very much, and level only pretty much as it affects my ability to go on quests or hunt in certain areas. Then I may push myself a bit. Otherwise, I'm too busy picking plants, seeing the sights, new dungeons I haven't been in - whatever. If it wasn't for hunting for loot and salavage I'd prolly almost never level :P

[Catalina Estmad]

I like what you are saying Harzeh
Iam the same way if it was not for loot salvage or quest I would mostlikely not be the lv I am today I just sit back and relax and play and not worry abuot the numbers and it will comein time :p

[boneyard]

not obsessed about it at all, perhaps ill ever become it, although i seriously doubt that :)

[Gordian]

yeah, but the game was out for what 2 years before someone maxxed out? and they were leaders of large monarchys giving them a big exp advantage. People now are complaining because leveling from 126 to 275 will take long. What do you want to traverse that gap in 6-12 months? what will you do in the game then? i think it should take a minimum of 2 years to go from 126-275. seeing as you could probably hit 126 in a couple months of hardcore playing


If I could get a character from 126ish to 275 in 6 to 12 months that would be great. It means that leveling wouldn't be as much of a concern. I could spend more time on quests, loot, casual hunting and exploration and then XP hunt when I wanted to improve something on a character. If I were to get 1 to that level then I'd probably want to get another. There are lots of things to do in the game. Being able to get to 275 quickly wouldn't ruin it for me.

[GandalfTheWise]

well how long have you been playing? yeah there are lots of quests and things but as was said in another post the expansion is adding lots of content which is good, but content doesnt make the game last longer, its like a band-aid. the aug gems are a good start but i think we need some kind of development in late levels that gives meaning. im kind of getting off topic from my main post but i feel that this is an issue too.

[Rhinehold_LC]

If I could get a character from 126ish to 275 in 6 to 12 months that would be great. It means that leveling wouldn't be as much of a concern. I could spend more time on quests, loot, casual hunting and exploration and then XP hunt when I wanted to improve something on a character. If I were to get 1 to that level then I'd probably want to get another. There are lots of things to do in the game. Being able to get to 275 quickly wouldn't ruin it for me.


Im right there with ya Gordian

-R

[Al-Egre Arn]

Turbine is at least partly to blame for people wanting to level so much. The higher level reqs for quests have been getting higher and higher. L80+ for Bobo, then L90+ for Caul, and now L100+ for the upper tiers of the BM quests. Pretty soon there will be quests where you have to be L125+, L150+, L200+ and so on. And so people grind level after level so that they can have the chance to do those quests.

[Gordian]

well how long have you been playing? yeah there are lots of quests and things but as was said in another post the expansion is adding lots of content which is good, but content doesnt make the game last longer, its like a band-aid.

4 years. I've done perhaps 33% of the quests in game. I've never heard content being called a band-aid before. Isn't it one of the main reasons for playing?

For me it's: Loot, content/quests, leveling and seeing new game dynamics (tinkering, housing etc) that keep me playing. On my main two accounts on my main server my character levels are: 144, 129, 128, 118, 110, 104, 98, 96, 95, 67, 14 and yet I've only done 1/3 of the quests. If I could level faster at 100+ then I'd be happy as I could do more quests and fun hunting.

On my 118 I went hunting around Ayan for an hour the other night and got only 4.5 million XP. It was fun but my character didn't advance at all. Back to the leveling dungeons. It's sad that 98% of the content isn't condusive to advancing a character.

[hippiechick64]

I have a lot of concerns about the level cap being so high. The main one, being a monarch, is the swearing issue which you can read about in another thread.
I dont post about my other issues with the new cap normally because the swearing one is the one that I feel is the most important to the continuation of the allegiance system and the game. It's also the issue I think Turbine will be reasonable about. We will never change their minds about the new cap, but we CAN work with the details of it, like the swearing issue. But Ill take this opportunity to express my other concern about the cap.
I really dont think I would have continued on playing after my free month if I felt that I would simply never max my level. It is not a hard stretch to imagine that others will feel the same. People want to play, yes, and to have to work at it too. But they also want to know that they can "win" (I use win loosely) the game in a REASONABLE amount of time. In AC maxing your level is your only way of really showing that you have done the work, you have been there done that and got the t shirt. You have "won".
Now as an experienced player and Monarch I STILL feel that I wouldnt want to play if I thought it would take THAT long to max my toon. I have no hunting time, even less now that I have started the United Guilds of MT. (Which I started because of my deep love for this game, so plz dont get me wrong. I care deeply what happens to this game and am working on things to try to make it better for all. It just takes even more time away from my XP gathering.) I have rankers and 126ers that dont play under me. There's just no way Ill ever attain level 275 which makes me feel like there is no way Ill ever max my toon OR be able to enjoy the higher level req content. I will never "win".
I don't mind having to spend a lot of time getting there, but 275 is simply too high. Unreachable for a LOT of players. I would never threaten to leave the game over it but I promise this. I WILL leave the game before ever reaching 275, simply because it will die before I get there. When shopping for a game I look for a challenge, something that will take work and time. But 275 is simply unattainable for me. Even now, knowing where to hunt and how to get the most xp possible. A noob will be even more overwhelmed.
I have commitments to people in this game, 1800+ of them. And I will stay as long as there is one single follower under me regardless of what they do to the game. I will continue to try to find ways to make the game better for the people in it, like the UGMT which is not my last idea by a longshot. Im not going anywhere until all of my commitments are met. But, if I weren't a Monarch I doubt I'd stay past x pack. I have 5 accounts that would go with me. I am not alone.
MJ

[Al-Egre Arn]

I'd have to agree with HippieChick in that if I wasn't a monarch, and didn't have such great friends and people as followers, that I probably would have quit AC already, taking my 4 accounts with me. Thats not to say that I still don't have fun with AC but the cost/benefit ratio would not have been worth it.

[Rhinehold_LC]

while i do agree and sympathize with both of you, please realize that there is new content going in that will increase the hourly xp you can get. 50 mil an hour would not make anything unreachable even for a casual player. If you only played 2 hours a night, 5 nights a week, spent hunting, thats 250 mil. thats 1 billion every month, and in my with those conservative numbers thats nod bad to bad.

As long as Turbine is on top of their game, i do not see a problem.

have faith,

-R

[Mildly amused]

50 mil an hour would not make anything unreachable even for a casual player. If you only played 2 hours a night, 5 nights a week, spent hunting, thats 250 mil. thats 1 billion every month, and in my with those conservative numbers thats nod bad to bad.

As long as Turbine is on top of their game, i do not see a problem.

have faith,

-R

Hmm using extrapolation level 275 is 196 billion or so. One or two nice augmentation gems later were at 200 billion. With one billion every month thats 200 months, 16 1/2 years. Leveling an archer, a mage and a tinker/trades mule (no melees; they suck and using extrapolation they will still suck in spring 2054) thats 49 1/2 years.

Using your numbers I *do* see a problem.

[Fiction_LC]

who cares if it takes that long gives you something to shoot for why have it take 1month to hit 275? the longer the better. I want a challange not the max level just handed to me. If it takes you 16years to get that much xp then you need to find better hunting spots.

[Martus]

I think the problem is not that max level might be too easily reached but what to do wiht your max level then? Questing is ok, but not everyone wants to do quests constantly and at this point I truly hope for some sort of clever elder game. This is a must to keep the players in the game.

[hippiechick64]

I am far less than a casual player. I spend almost all of my in game time with my allegiance running quests that give bad xp and helping them out. Now I have the UGoMT to take care of as well. Here's what we have decided to do about it. Im going to drop my mansion and replace 3 of my rankers/126ers with the 3 peeps in alleg who hunt/get xp at the fastest rate. THEY are going to level me at least a few levels higher than our highest level dood. That will fix the immediate problem. But I lose 3 of my vassals Ive had for over 2 years now, they will have to go elsewhere. Time sworn effects passup too now so those 3 new vassals wont give max passup but at least they hunt. Im not going to make my long standing vassals move around twice so they can just stay where they are put. As for getting the mansion back? nah, not worth it. The groms themselves are too much trouble at this point. Ive never had trouble with maint, never lost rank, yet still I lose my mansion. THAT is a problem too. They are making AC a place where you have to spend every waking moment to get anything done. This I will not do. I have a life outside of AC.
MJ

[Rhinehold_LC]

i dont understand your need to do this HippieChick....


-R

[Strider]

Here is another that isn't worried about and pretty sure will never see it. Probably never see 200. I play for the friendships I've made and to help others, not to constantly do nothing but power level. After almost 4 years (started around second week WE was open) my highest toon is somewhere around 140 I think, don't really know cause I don't run eltank or tree stats. Thats not even my toon that has been monarch all this time and at one time could benefit from passup.

If they gear to much of the new content only to the 200+ toons then might just be the end for me. I won't macro just to reach a certain level just so I can play in the new areas. And I can only fight and do what they have now for so long. Time will tell but things I've been hearing on how things are pointing doesn't sound good. I have always said I'd be last one here to turn out the lights on the way out but can't do that if will take a lvl 250+ to reach the switch.

Strider

[hippiechick64]

Rhine, call me paranoid! Im like this in RL always preparing for the worst just in case. A few months ago I accidentally broke a vassal. No prob, he got back and all was good. But what if that was someone higher than me? Also, several times a patron has left the guild and their vassal wanted back in. That toon could, and has been in the past, higher than me. As far as the 126ers in my guild Im the baby of the bunch. I just dont want to risk losing someone who doesnt want to go. I also spoil my alleg and over mother them LOL They call me Mom. I strongly believe in the loyalty based allegiance system, and am not looking forward to a forced level based alleg system. /e shrug
MJ