For those that read ZP's article on leveling down as an alternative to just being godly high level, I have an idea of my own that may work quite well.
How about two separate leveling systems: one permanent, one temporary.
Basically, the permanent system would be what we've all come to expect of most RPGs, but this would be set rather low in a sense (lv. 30 or 40 max). These levels are where you obtain your skills and attributes (what make you, you). This is also where you would stand whenever you begin your fighting sessions (a base level).
Now, the temporary levels would be as if you're getting in the groove of battle and stuff, thus you gain an increase in health, magic, base stats, etc. No new abilites though, just stats (think of it as an adrenaline rush). These levels would be very easy to get, like 3 levels a battle depending on how far into the game you are. You could effectively get 15 to 20 levels higher than you are stats-wise at your peak. When you go and rest, these levels would reset.
The next part about the temporary levels would be a fatigue system. After battling for hours at your peak, the levels would start to decrease until you return to normal (back to base level). You won't get any experience either, and you need to let your character rest for a day or two before being able to fight the big stuff again. I know you might be screaming "No fatigue system!", but this can be more realistic than just being godly powerful at all times. Plus, I didn't say you couldn't go out and hunt treasure and whatnot. You just won't be able to get experience or fight much higher level monsters for a while. As long as you don't try to fight in high level areas, the fatigue will go away.
Basically, the leveling system would be this equation:
Total Lvl = Base Level + (Temp. Lvl - Fatigue Lvl)
So what do you think? I'd like some feedback. Oh, and NO STEALING THE IDEA!! (unless someone beat me to it)
How about two separate leveling systems: one permanent, one temporary.
Basically, the permanent system would be what we've all come to expect of most RPGs, but this would be set rather low in a sense (lv. 30 or 40 max). These levels are where you obtain your skills and attributes (what make you, you). This is also where you would stand whenever you begin your fighting sessions (a base level).
Now, the temporary levels would be as if you're getting in the groove of battle and stuff, thus you gain an increase in health, magic, base stats, etc. No new abilites though, just stats (think of it as an adrenaline rush). These levels would be very easy to get, like 3 levels a battle depending on how far into the game you are. You could effectively get 15 to 20 levels higher than you are stats-wise at your peak. When you go and rest, these levels would reset.
The next part about the temporary levels would be a fatigue system. After battling for hours at your peak, the levels would start to decrease until you return to normal (back to base level). You won't get any experience either, and you need to let your character rest for a day or two before being able to fight the big stuff again. I know you might be screaming "No fatigue system!", but this can be more realistic than just being godly powerful at all times. Plus, I didn't say you couldn't go out and hunt treasure and whatnot. You just won't be able to get experience or fight much higher level monsters for a while. As long as you don't try to fight in high level areas, the fatigue will go away.
Basically, the leveling system would be this equation:
Total Lvl = Base Level + (Temp. Lvl - Fatigue Lvl)
So what do you think? I'd like some feedback. Oh, and NO STEALING THE IDEA!! (unless someone beat me to it)
