The Leveling System

In my last post, I described a leveling system in which skills, attributes, and overall level increase somewhat independently. However, the number of XP gained for a given task is scaled the same. How can I get the behavior I want on this basis?

I think a simple system is going to be best for this. So let's say that for overall level, it takes 1,000XP * current level to reach the next level. For example, if I'm level 12, it will take 12,000 XP to reach level 13. Since I've already decided to start at level 1, that means it will only take 1,000XP to reach level 2, but will take 2,000XP to reach level 3. I think that's fair.

Skills are more focused, so I think it's reasonable for fewer points to be required. So the multiplier is only going to be 100XP. When I start a new skill, I begin at level 1, and it will take 100XP to reach level 2, an additional 200XP to get to level 3, and so on.

That leaves attributes. I have a sense that attributes are somewhere in between overall level and individual skills. The multiplicative mean of 100 and 1,000 is around 316, so let's round that off to 300 and let that be the multiplier. So an attribute requires 300 times the current level to increase. Moving from 1 to 2 will require 300XP; moving from 2 to 3, 600XP, and so on.

Previously, I had mentioned the idea of "rewards" for gaining a new level. I still want to do this, but I think the reward should have something to do with the skill or attribute being gained. For gaining a general level, I should just treat myself--say, to something worth $10 times the level gained. For gaining a skill level, I should invest in something related to that skill.

Once again, attributes prove to be the tricky one. How about something that generally rewards that attribute? For intelligence, a book; for dexterity, a puzzle; for constitution, a new pair of running shoes; for charisma, a night out with friends. These are not things that develop a skill by their use, but make use of the attribute gained.

I've even picked out what my $20 reward will be. I can get two brand new Moxy Früvous CDs for that, and I've lived with pirated MP3's long enough. There, I've got a goal, and it's been added to my Amazon shopping cart and saved for later.

In my next post, I'll determine what my starting attributes are. In subsequent posts, I will determine my current skill level in each skill I currently have, and set goals and tasks for each. Then I'll do the same with the new skills I want to gain. Then, all that's left is leveling up.