[C1QP0X]

Nope, it's not the thread you were expecting. The question is, if we feel the need to cap a character and choose not to gain any more levels, simply by not leveling up as we've gained more XP, will our ECLs still increase and in turn get bigger, nastier spawns as we've unintentionally gained experience and levels?

Like, say for instance, I just wanna be level 2 forever on a character so I can always play with new folks while nothing is going on with Cham. Do I just not level up? Or, would something have to be implemented to achieve the same ECL at all times?

Some will say, "Well you can still roleplay with new folks just as easily.." But that isn't the point so try not to say that! lol

[DarkRanger]

Hm, good question I'm curious as well, does "ready for level x" count as being level x?

[Balanor]

Your overall hit dice, not XP, is used when determining encounter difficulty. So in your example, a level 2 PC with 192000 XP will still be treated as a level 2 PC for the purposes of generating an encounter.

[C1QP0X]

Hm, good question I'm curious as well, does "ready for level x" count as being level x?

I'm glad some one shares my curiosity and thank you for simplifying the question. The bad thing about it is though, you can be level 1 and actually ready for level 5 if you bank your experience long enough. This is why I am concerned.

Your overall hit dice, not XP, is used when determining encounter difficulty. So in your example, a level 2 PC with 192000 XP will still be treated as a level 2 PC for the purposes of generating an encounter.

I see. Thank you for clearing that up Thayan. Would you ever consider putting something in the "Character Options" to turn off experience gains?

[Balanor]

Wow - what a breath of fresh air. I'm pleasantly surprised we have at least one person representing the opposite end of the spectrum.

I would certainly consider it, but just making the Character Option available to turn off XP gain is only the tip of the iceberg. It would require going through all scripts that give XP and checking for a variable to only give XP if that option has not been turned off. Off the top of my head I can think of at least several dozen different places this would need to occur - which means it would take a fair amount of design time. As you're the first person to ever ask about this (at least that I'm aware of) in all the years I've run PWs, I don't think I could justify the time spent making it a realty if it's likely only one person, or very few people, would use it.


Although a random thought just occurred...
Perhaps if people turn off XP, it would be for a minimum period of time. Just as an example...say...1 month real-time. And when they have XP turned off, they earn notoriety at twice the normal rate. Implementing this would be even more work, but if there would be an enormous outpouring of support for it or something like it (or for simply turning off XP gains), I could put it on the wishlist at least (with no promises at this time that it would become a reality, however).

[The Philosopher]

I would jump in a whiff of a minute at that last proposal, Thayan.

In some characters, notoriety matters more than levels ever would. As it stands, levels and notoriety are, in practice, very strictly bound - very rarely do we see people get high social ranks without having a high character level to accompany it. It would give an option for those who are playing the political game to place their efforts into gaining the fame needed to reach some of those high places, and make the RPing of Thayan nobles a distinct, and pleasurably well-paced, possibility.

After all, everyone knows it's those prissy nobles, with fat wallets and powerful names, who ever get those captainships and tribunates. :P

[C1QP0X]

Although a random thought just occurred...
Perhaps if people turn off XP, it would be for a minimum period of time. Just as an example...say...1 month real-time. And when they have XP turned off, they earn notoriety at twice the normal rate.

I can imagine one instance where it would make sense for that to occur. Like, say for instance, a certain wizard eschews his studies for a time to focus on gaining more notoriety in Thay, perhaps running for a certain position of power or maybe he just wants people to be scared of him so in the future he could practice his studies in isolation.

EDIT: @The Philospher: 2 times in the same thread I've done this! lol, being slow today I suppose.. Anyhow, great minds think alike and such :P

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If it was to be implemented I would definitely suggest only being able to do it once every so often, maybe once a week. That way, so everytime folks are just standing around .."roleplaying".. they don't automatically turn it off to gain notoriety in the mean-time as a way of being more.. efficient?

The feature should be used as a commitment.. One doesn't just drop trying to be more proficient in their class(es) at the drop of a hat.. several times a day.

[Hellstrom]

I'm glad some one shares my curiosity and thank you for simplifying the question. The bad thing about it is though, you can be level 1 and actually ready for level 5 if you bank your experience long enough. This is why I am concerned.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you ever decide to level that character up, I think you'll go partway into 2nd level and lose the remainder of the "banked" XP. I had one character that waited to level and lost several thousand XP when I did.

---

Although a random thought just occurred...
Perhaps if people turn off XP, it would be for a minimum period of time. Just as an example...say...1 month real-time. And when they have XP turned off, they earn notoriety at twice the normal rate. Implementing this would be even more work, but if there would be an enormous outpouring of support for it or something like it (or for simply turning off XP gains), I could put it on the wishlist at least (with no promises at this time that it would become a reality, however).

My concern about implementing something like that would be that some players might abuse it... e.g. powergame through levels until max or near max, then turn off XP gains to bump notoriety quickly.

[Animayhem]

Although a random thought just occurred...
Perhaps if people turn off XP, it would be for a minimum period of time. Just as an example...say...1 month real-time. And when they have XP turned off, they earn notoriety at twice the normal rate. Implementing this would be even more work, but if there would be an enormous outpouring of support for it or something like it (or for simply turning off XP gains), I could put it on the wishlist at least (with no promises at this time that it would become a reality, however).

This sounds promising especially for those who reach level 20 and face an xp cap. Just because we are level 20 does not mean we have reached the penacle of our chosen path. It also would work in general for maybe people who have changed their paths and because having done so maybe need to make up note that they would of have had they started at the earliest they could.

Yes concidering the complexity of the scripting I can see it as something out on the back burner.

[dremora]

Would certainly help us lowly elves out too.