Gamers on the Street: The XP experience

Gamers on the Street logs into U.S. servers to get the word from the front on what's going on in and around the World of Warcraft.

I'm leveling too fast. My brand, new main character is already in her mid-50s and closing on BC content fast. One night's worth of questing while my husband was offline catapulted me two levels ahead and greened out our next planned instance. It took a week's worth of jostling to get our quest lines and zones back in sync with one another. And money for my mount at 40? Who are you kidding? Even with steady gathering from 1-40 with just that in mind, it took dedicated money-making days to bring in the cash I needed in time (err, relatively in time – I didn't mount up at level 40, that's for sure).

One of patch 2.3's handy-dandy, user-friendly changes was a boost in leveling speed for characters between levels 20 and 60. The XP required per level was reduced by 20 percent, and the amount of XP granted by quests between levels 30 and 60 was increased. Loot in leveling dungeons was improved. Oodles of outdoor elite mobs were changed to non-elites for solo-friendliness.

Fast forward a few months ... Do players like the results? We dropped in on the Ysondre server earlier this week to see what leveling players think about the current state of XP'ing in Azeroth. Read about their XP experience and share your own thoughts on how fast is too fast, after the break.

The view from level 18

Our first chat was with an unguilded dwarven warrior named Hammerhock, a new player who seemed quite pleased with the view from level 18.

Gamers on the Street: What do you think about the XP curve as it stands today?

Hammerhock: I think it helps newer players who often fall prey to high level players who raid.

What about you? Are you an alt?

This is my main character. I made a few others but this is my favorite and the sole one I play now.

What do you think about the leveling pace? Do you think it's too easy to level, too hard to level, just right ...?

I think it is just right. It levels fast at the low levels, which is nice, but makes you work for the higher levels.

Cast of a thousand characters
While pleased that Hammerhock felt comfortable with what lie ahead, we thought it wise to seek out a player who'd tried on a few more characters for size. We found that in Sunee, a 57 night elf priest with <Unfair Advantage>, owner of characters at level 70, 53, 49, 46, 37 ... and on down.

Gamers on the Street: What do you think about the lighter XP curve?

Sunee: I think it helps out people with mains that want to get higher faster. But for the new people, they might get to levels like 40 that need gold for mounts, etc. -- and because they have leveled so fast, they don't have the money.

What about content -- do you ever feel like you miss things from going so fast? It looks like you've managed to do some instancing.

Well, all of this gear is from before the xp curve (change). But on alts that I (have) leveled since, it took me two to three levels before I got a group for (some) instances. That might just be because at the moment, this is a low-pop server.

In light of that, do you think it makes it easier overall, being a faster xp curve, since there is a lower population here?

Yes, it does help, because you get to the higher levels faster. But if you did get to run the instance, you could have done at least three quests and got some nice gear, which could be faster. I like it because I can get to the levels I want faster.

Any down side?

But people that twink or new people ... Well, twinks dont want XP, so if they level faster, they might ding out of the bracket they are trying to stop in (10-19, 20-29, etc.). And new people, like I said before, they might not have enough for mount and skills because they level too fast and don't have time to grind/farm stuff to sell.

A seasoned twinker

We rounded off our Alliance-side visit with a pally who obviously knew the ropes: Swayze, a level 21 human paladin with <BattleHammer>, whose main is a 70 rogue.

Gamers on the Street: So how long has Swayze been around?

Swayze: (My main character's) been 70 since last Jan./Feb., shortly after the expansion came out.

What's your view on the current XP curve?

I think it's at a good rate. Making it too fast makes the game boring, and people don't learn their class properly -- and on the other hand too slowly, people get bored and quit altogether.

What about cash? Have you had any trouble with cash flow keeping pace with XP?

Money-wise, I can't say. I just transfer money from my main if I need it.

So what's your overall take on the adjusted curve?

Well, I know the game inside and out -- too much, now -- so my goal is to get to 70 as quick as possible, which means all questing/grinding and little instances. Thumbs up! ... Now let's see them fix Vanish.

All in favor

Horde-side, a level 15 blood elf paladin named Ghoulardi of <Cask of Amontillado> hadn't given the issue much thought – but after pondering the matter, he decided things were working out in favor of his characters (ranging from 15 to 60).

Gamers on the Street: How long have you been playing WoW?

Ghoulardi: I have another main 'toon. I've been playing WoW for three months or so.

Have you been affected by changes in the XP curve?

I'm not sure how the XP curve is defined. Seems pretty much the same to me. Except the change at 60.

What do you notice at 60?

A significant jump in XP points to reach the next level.

How does that affect your play? Does it keep you from wanting to play that character as much, or ... just different?

Alters my play. In the higher level 'toon, I don't feel like I can take the time to solo. I want help on quests.

What about making money? Hhave you found it hard to make the money you need for mounts and such before the appropriate levels hit?

Yep. I had to wait to level 49 for my mount. I am not even close to a upgraded mount at level 60.

Would you say the XP rate is too fast, then, in the early levels?

No. I think you need a fast xp rate to keep players interested -- can set and achieve goals quickly!

EZ mode
Jaidyn, a level 41 blood elf rogue in <Continuum> with alts ranging up to 67, also seemed comfortable with the new leveling pace. She was, however, the first player to echo my own feelings about the relative difficulty of the good old days.

Gamers on the Street: So did you play before they changed the lower level XP curve to make it go faster?

Jaidyn: Mmm-hmm, been here for about three years and have seen the results of an XP curve.

As this being my third year of playing, I love the idea. I enjoy not having to spend too much more time on leveling yet another 'toon, but I do miss the difficulty of the previous years. I felt like I accomplished more then.

Fresh meat
We wrapped up our conversation with a viewpoint from new player Zenga, a level 36 orc hunter in <legends of dark knights>.

Gamers on the Street: Is Zenga your only character?

Zenga: Yes, as of now.

Have you played long, then?

Six days now.

Six days! You're moving right along! What do you think about the pace of leveling?

It slows down after 35.

Think you'll have the money for your mount by the time you hit 40?

Well, maybe the mount -- but not the training for it. Money is hard to make in the game, so many crafters to compete with!

Yeah, it goes fast, doesn't it? Do you think slower leveling would help?

I don't think so.

Have you had time to get all the quests and instances you want to do done before you outlevel them?

Yes. You just need to have a good group to work with.

Read more interviews with World of Warcraft players in 15 Minutes of Fame. Plus, Lisa Poisso logs on to the WoW servers every week to ask players what's on their mind in Gamers on the Street.