Level Caps and End Game Content

[Sicarii]

Judging by the gear available in the store, i think it is safe to assume that the final level cap (if there is one) will be at least level 50. The problem i foresee with this high of a level cap is that virtually every skill will be maxed, causing every build to essentially be the same cookie cutter build from a skills perspective. Personally, this detracts from the beauty of an mmo game. So, with that in mind, i would like to offer up a few thoughts in regards to end game content.

Level cap
First off, let me begin by advocating a permanent level cap. Make it 50. 50 is good. One of the goals of an mmo is not to simply level up, but what you do once you hit that cap. While the leveling process itself should be a fun one, it should not be the goal in and of itself. The question, "What ar we leveling up FOR?" needs to be answered. The answer is in the content available to fully leveled up players. (which, btw, is also the push for newer players to acquire the leveling expansions in order to even hit this end game content)

Of course, we still have to deal with the issue of skillset customization. There are a few options here. One is to add more skills. Then, we have more choices to focus the purpose of our character. The other is to allot more points per skill. Feasible, but then the skills that boost 10% dodge (or whatever) per skill point are going to be... 100%? Hmmmm....). The other option, and my personal favorite, is to allow the skills and skill points to stay as is, but limit the number of skills available to you in combat. Allow a skill bar that we can assign say, 5 or so skills to, and allow ONLY those skills to be accessed during play. Maybe you can switch out skills via the menu in an instance, maybe not... But you certainly are forced to identify your characters purpose, and then apply the skills accordingly. Now, we have customization, and not everyone is going to be doing the same thing...

PVE Content
End level dungeons should be a profound challenge in and of themselves. Not something you can pick up a pug and burn through... Rather something that forces you to really work as a team. This is where guilds, whether official game supported guilds or external forum operated guilds, really shine. Furthermore, these should be instances that have a very real possibility of failure. Completing them should be an accomplishment that carries bragging rights. And the rewards should be something worth bragging about as well.

The rewards, therefore, should be something far greater than xp. Perhaps it is gear, or additional player customization (take out the croc's lair? Why not have a crocs totem, or head, or whatever tied to your belt?). Maybe it is in titles you can earn and show off in town. Or an emote you learn. Something tangible, aka gear, and something to show off with bragging rights. A sense if accomplishment.

PVP Content
This can go a million ways, and something that i would be very excited about. Leaderboards, titles, maybe even earn blood points that can be cashed in at some gladiator vendor in town for gear or player customization.

PVP and PVE Content
This might be a blending of the two. Say, for example, you have an arena filled with mobs and two teams are dumped into it with a goal to kill the big boss mob. The team that gets the kill gets the rewards, and only the team that lands the kill shot. Tough mobs. Mobs that have to hold our attention. And then, in the midst of that, we also have to watch out for the other team, who wants to kill us and take the kill shot for themselves. Mayhem ensues.

***

These are just my thoughts, feel free to pick away at them as you wish. I just like the idea of having a reason for leveling up, rather than just leveling up so i have another level. And, in terms of money making expansions,i think expanding end game content maps would be just as effective, if not moreso, than just level increasing expansions.

Just my 2c...

[flaimdude]

First off, don't forget to check out the Development Release Schedule, along with the other in-depth topics in that subforum. You'll see that PvP, player customization, leaderboards, guilds, etc. are already in the works!

Second, I completely agree with you on skills. As of right now, the skills are good how they are, but once the level cap keeps on going up, something needs to be done otherwise (like you said), everyone will just have maxed out skills of everything. And like in WoW, as the level cap goes up, more skills, etc. are added so you can't max out on everything, you have to choose for yourself.

Also, noob question, what's a pug? And I'd like to point out that right now, PL is really in baby/kid stage as far as development goes. It's only been out for about a month(ish), but the fact that the devs are working really hard to push out new content is pretty awesome in and of itself, and PL will keep on growing (in number of players as well as content).

PvP+PvE sounds like a pretty sweet idea that I don't think has been thought of before. Devs, take note please!

[darrensmith016]

Sorry off topic but binary for 2 is 10 right or 0010 putting a % at the end makes that a percentage not a binary number.

Lol but total agree with both of ya about skills but looking at the way this game is going you will soon be able to specialise in certain aspects. Like hand to hand, dagger, 2h etc and skills to match

[flaimdude]

Sorry off topic but binary for 2 is 10 right or 0010 putting a % at the end makes that a percentage not a binary number.

It's a joke.

[darrensmith016]

It's a joke.

I know. I had to prove I know it lol. But in fairness if I didn't get it i'd say I give 108% at work, get that?

[TheBaconKing]

Also, noob question, what's a pug?

Pug is a "pick up group" meaning a bunch of randoms in one group. For example if you and 4 other people all click play and happen to join the same group then it is a pug. I don't know where it started, but it is used a TON in WoW. The opposite of a pug is a group of people from the same guild or people who already knew each other, and have more than likely played with each other before. They tend to be a better group, because you can get some pretty crappy players in pugs.

Now they really don't matter in this game, because you really don't have any terribly hard bosses that require a great amount of teamwork. Teamwork and pugs usually never go hand in hand.

[setec]

I like the ideas proposed. The only thing I would mention is that although I know A LOT of you will prefer guilds, I know I don't have the time to commit to a guild in my real life. Therefore, I still hope that the end level dungeons will still be able to be beaten by 5 players who don't know each other. Yes, there may need to be some coordination over chat, but, it shouldn't require a guild.

I think eventually that PL will evolve to please everyone from the casual to the hardcore player.

[BestHyun]

I think there should be no level cap and all skills can be maxed throughout levels (similar to Maplestory). We'll see though. Justg said that they are thinking really hard about it.

[Vigilant]

A very simple solution right now, while it's still early is to stop getting skills points after like 35. So when the next expansion comes out, you will earn no more skill points.

[Banned]

A very simple solution right now, while it's still early is to stop getting skills points after like 35. So when the next expansion comes out, you will earn no more skill points.

A simple yet horrible solution. Why would the devs actually restrict a person from maxing their skills? The amount of hate would be so overwhelming. People like to be as powerful as possible and a restriction for adding skills points won't help in achieving that awesome power players look for.

[Sicarii]

First off, don't forget to check out the Development Release Schedule, along with the other in-depth topics in that subforum. You'll see that PvP, player customization, leaderboards, guilds, etc. are already in the works!

Second, I completely agree with you on skills. As of right now, the skills are good how they are, but once the level cap keeps on going up, something needs to be done otherwise (like you said), everyone will just have maxed out skills of everything. And like in WoW, as the level cap goes up, more skills, etc. are added so you can't max out on everything, you have to choose for yourself.

Also, noob question, what's a pug? And I'd like to point out that right now, PL is really in baby/kid stage as far as development goes. It's only been out for about a month(ish), but the fact that the devs are working really hard to push out new content is pretty awesome in and of itself, and PL will keep on growing (in number of players as well as content).

PvP+PvE sounds like a pretty sweet idea that I don't think has been thought of before. Devs, take note please!

I know that PvP and guilds, etc. are in the works. This was based around suggesting ways to utilize designs already in the works to promote end game content in place of levels. The point is that the "level cap" determines where end game content starts, and you cant really have that until you have defined where your character stops leveling up and reaches his or her peak. The emphasis here is more on the rewards to such a system, rather than the system itself. End game pvp is just one example of something that never really reaches it's full potential until the end of leveling. That is the only time the playing field is fully equalized...

[Vigilant]

A simple yet horrible solution. Why would the devs actually restrict a person from maxing their skills? The amount of hate would be so overwhelming. People like to be as powerful as possible and a restriction for adding skills points won't help in achieving that awesome power players look for.

How is this a horrible solution?

So, what's the point of being a healer? A AoE Mage?

Each person has there own thing. If everyone's stats are maxed whats the point? I mean, there would be tons of hate if you could max every god damned skill. There would be no point in skills then...

[KongsNutz]

Just expand the skill amounts after 35... say LVL 36 unlocks new skill sets/points.

This way, you want those new add-ons even more.... for new skills/points.

Perhaps even add 1 or 2 pet skills...... so you have something else to level once the cap ends....... just saying....

[Banned]

How is this a horrible solution?

So, what's the point of being a healer? A AoE Mage?

Each person has there own thing. If everyone's stats are maxed whats the point? I mean, there would be tons of hate if you could max every god damned skill. There would be no point in skills then...

What the hell are you saying! Your acting as if there are sub classes or something. A Enchantress is just a Enchantress. If someone wants to be able to heal their team mates and deal some damn AOE damage, they shouldn't be restricted from doing so. And I highly doubt there would be any hate on being able to max skills since, newsflash, thats how most god damned MMOs work.

[FriedSushi]

used to play maplestory when i was smaller, and they had some good ideas, like guild quests , scrolling equips, and also, a test to unlock new skills. that be pretty cool if at lv 36, you can unlock a second tier of skills by going in a special dungeon or something

[Laska]

used to play maplestory when i was smaller, and they had some good ideas, like guild quests , scrolling equips, and also, a test to unlock new skills. that be pretty cool if at lv 36, you can unlock a second tier of skills by going in a special dungeon or something

Yer it wuld be cool unlocking some new skills or at least maxing our current ones to at least 10....and maple story is gay lol sorry jus had to say that.