Should DC Universe Online Have Levels?

[RadarX]

There is no argument SOE's DC Universe Online has a lot going for it including the recent discussion of Solomon Grundy. However, the world of superhero MMO games is still relatively young with plenty of room for experimentation. Should SOE try the old and reliable leveling system we know so well or go with a more radical skill based? Should they scrap both and try something new? We look at all the advantages and disadvantages of levels just inside and prove once and for all that Aquaman is not stronger than Submariner.

Now of course you could obviously say Superman was more powerful than Batman or Braniac more dangerous than Lex Luthor but it doesn't go any deeper. Other than a classification of raw mutant power in the Marvel universe, there aren't really any other detailed measurements of character power levels. Why should players be pigeonholed into the same stereotype? Who wants to be ranked among the Teen Titans when they could stand with the Justice League of America?

There is plenty more to read right here!

[AngryBeaver]

Should DC Universe Online Have Levels?

If it isn't broke why fix it. I'm a fan of levels as it gives you something to do (I need to log in to get that next level).

[RadarX]

I think it's time to go in a different direction honestly but I'm comfortable with levels. Some of us have been familiar with levels since the mid 80's and it's just time for a change. However there are some serious issues with pure skill based like the obligatory ungodly learning curve.

I dunno... SOE tends to try and break the mold so I'll be surprised if it's something we're used to.

[Annatar]

Say no to levels.

It would be totally wrong to see level 5 Superman get his Kryptonian arse handed to him by level 15 Plastic Man.

[RadarX]

See? Annatar gets it.

One of my biggest is outleveling content significantly and then being able to go back and slap around villains like Doomsday or the Joker with ease.

[Annatar]

Agreed.

When you put a character level on some of the iconic heroes and villains you end up diminishing them.

[Bithnar]

But you really can't make them untouchable and just a part of the scenery/story line like they did in LotROL

[AngryBeaver]

Originally Posted by RadarX

See? Annatar gets it.

I get what you're saying, I just like having level.

[darklogos]

The way I see it the no level system allows people to drop in and pvp unlike COH. The biggest problem of COH was grinding a charcter to 50 to do top teir pvp then spend insane amount of time to get geared up. Then nerfs come and you are stuck with a ton of time invested into a character you can't pvp well with. The nex thing is that the level system is inforced in our mind by the character system. You get postive reinforcement for grinding by getting powers or a shiney toy. Levels are used for an excuse in many games for introduce new content. One can do new content regardless of level. Thing is by making content dependant on the lie of levels the players are conditions that level equals more when it doesn't. Higher level difficulity of games can be done by better teamwork. I'm think if D.C. Online drops levels they will prove that immediate immersion is more valuable then level grinding. This will lead the player to look at the content and not focus on how long it will take until they get their next numerail by their name.

[Krind]

I would actually like to see a real-time based level/ranking system like in EVE-Online in combination with story-line missions to unlock skills/skill-levels and other quest for equipment.
That way players would gain power over time but would still need to do quest to be competative.
At the very least that would get rid of the horrible grinding system most mmorpgs use.