Where your character stands in UTT2

[DM_Kev]

This post is all about how your character fits into UTT2 and gives some info regarding character levels.

In UTT1 the impression is generally given that your character is capable of being near god-like who can take on anything thrown at him/her. This generally led to (in my opinion) a lot of characters with a carefree and/or arrogant attitude towards danger.

In UTT2, I have hoped to reverse this, creating a level of inferiority for player characters when faced with characters from the books for example. I think, if players are constantly aware of 'the powers that be' which even they cannot surpass, then I feel that being epic/owning a custom weapon/completing a tough quest, feels all the more special.

Make no mistake - the main npcs from the books are damn tough. All are permanently hasted to reflect their grace/prowess (this also guarantees they fight to their fullest capacity - no nwn AI screwups). All these npcs are of at least 40th level, with the greatest up to 60. Soloing such characters will be impossible. A party would have to be used to full effect to have any hope of defeating them. At present, Saruman looks like the toughest cookie - As the White Wizard, he is completely immune to physical attacks, meaning that an elemental weapon MUST be used against him.

And of course, with the many changes to the itemset and system, all characters will fear things such as traps, projectile traps, grenade weapons and many other effects, such as slowing areas of effect, diseases and poisons.

So overall, I think that creating an atmosphere of fear/respect for stronger AI based inividuals will be a good thing for the gameworld. Its a case of less is more. If people are no longer running round the world thinking 'I have all the best items and the best char setup - I can't lose', then its a good thing - more thought goes into actions and the world is less of a race for power, as people know there will always be something out there tougher then they are.

Character levels

In this part, im referring more towards the epic levels. In UTT2, im hoping that the aspect of epic levels will be dumbed down, somewhat.

On UTT1 at the moment, we have a lot of 'epic items' or items deemed only suitable for epic levels. On UTT2, there are only a handful of items that are of level 21 requirement, and they are all in the possesion of the main npcs. These are the most powerful items and items will not get any stronger.

A +3 standard weapon is by gameword standards very good, and it wouldn't surprise me to see an epic level character wielding such a weapon. Naturally, you will pickup custom weapons and items along the way, but its no surprise to see an epic level character wearing equipment no higher then a level 15 requirement or so. Obviously, as time goes by, this epic level character will get hold of better equipment, so they may eventually have a +4 weapon and a +7 suit of armour.

What im trying to say really is "Dont expect a range of epic items to be at your disposal". They playing field has been very much evened in terms of character levels and items.

Ultimately, all of this is designed to make being epic much more special. Although there is little difference in terms of items, you have access to amasing skills with other characters below you can only dream of :)

[Argon Balros]

i like the sound of all that kev it will make the world feel like a much bigger and darker place making it all the more exciting.

but one thing i've never understood is lvl restrictions on items if you find a new sword it seems strange that you can't use it as finer weapons would be better balanced and easier to use. i can understand it to a degree with magic weapons because a certain amount of understanding may be required to harness its powers. but still when ever i'm playing and i get some new equipment i can't use because of lvl restrictions i always feel a little more out character, perhaps in the new world it won't be as bad because you'll be very unlikly to get a weapon higher than your lvl but surely that will make it all the more disapointing when you do.

[ghost81]

It could be argued that the reason you can't always use a new weapon straight away is because of the change in weighting, balance and the like. If you've spent years using a heavier weapon, and developed the fine skill of handling it, then a lighter weapon will be just as awkward for you as a heavier weapon, until you've spent time practicing and learning how it feels, you wouldn't be able to use it as effectively as a weapon you know well. If you suddenly get a much lighter version of a weapon you would be prone to overextending yourself or even not using enough force to do damage with it as you're use to somthing heavier, that adds its own weight to a blow.

[DM_Kev]

Level restrictions are in for one reason only, and im afraid its that old friend of ours - abuse :(

A experienced character can gather up a selection of powerful equipment, and just hand it all to a new character. This new character will breeze through the areas designed for them, invalidating a heap of the content we have produced for them. This creates redundant areas.

The last thing I want to do is have the DMs constantly on the lookout for players giving away these items. Whatsmore, its harder to detect. We did once (in the firstdays of MERP UK) have no restrictions, but the eventual result was chaos. We had level 3's wandering off to epic areas because their equipment made them nigh indestructible :P But the big problem was mass item giving to new players.

[Fasin]

I like to think that when I find a weapon I cannot use yet, that my character is not yet worthy of it. Once his skills have improved he feels equal to the task. Someone who has just passed their driving test would be a bit out of their depth in a formula one maclaren :)

[SNarfel]

Originally posted by Fasin
Someone who has just passed their driving test would be a bit out of their depth in a formula one maclaren :)

Wouldn't stop me from having a go in the brute though... and showing it off as much as possible if i got me hands on one... he he:P

But seriously... level restrictions is no beig deal and Kev is right.. it would certainly get abused.

[Argon Balros]

i've not quite passed my test yet and i'd love a go in a mclaren but its sad but kevs right the system would get abused but is there a way of lowering lvl requirments to decrease the likelyhood of getting a weapon that you can't use

[DM_Kev]

I believe the level restrictions are hard coded and out of the builders reach.

[Fasin]

apart from the abuse argument, a +5 greatsword woul be just "too much blade" for a low level fighter. Start small. Who wants to be maxed out from level 1. Then they'll be crying for more powerful weapons cos its gotten boring or too easy.

It gives you something else to aim for in parallel with your character advancements.