Thank to both for help I'm going to consider both when making the game and see what the outcome is. Sorry for misunderstanding powerneg. Didn't realize you replaced ', 'with '.' in your numbers. I thought they were for ratios or something.

Polama just wondering if you used a formula to get these numbers?

level 1: 0 xp

level 2: 150 xp

level 3: 950 xp

level 4: 3,650 xp

level 5: 10,050 xp

They look really good, but not sure of the pattern used.

L = length of first stage = 10 hours = 600 minutes

F = % of time spent fighting = 35%

A = average length of fight = 1 minute

(L/A) * F = 210 fights

That's 210 fights over 4 level ups, usually each level takes longer than the last, so I broke 210 into [30,40,60,80] So level 3 to 4 takes 60 fights, level 4 to 5 takes 80 fights. If you wanted each to be the same, you'd just divide L*F / 4 ~= 52. If your fights are shorter, or your players spend more time fighting, or whatever, just adjust those formula terms.

Then I came up with a xp progression for monsters. This is a hard formula to get right, you could do almost anything here. Something like X = level^10 would mean you can absolutely only fight monsters your own level. Something like X = 5 * level means there isn't a big difference between fighting a level 3 and a level 5 monster. I went with X = level * level * 5.

level 1 = 0 xp

level 2 = 30 fights * (level * level * 5) = 30 * 1 * 1 *5 = 150

level 3 = level 2 + 40 fights * (level * level * 5) = 150 + 40 * 2 * 2 * 5 = 950

etc.

Similar to doubling each level: is to add some % each level, that's easier to modify as you balance your game later on (which you WILL need to do).

for level 4:

xpNeed = baseNeed*1,50^4

This would increase the need with 50 % each level. Then you round it off so it looks nicer. Also for me, its ugly to have huge numbers such as 100,000 (makes it harder for the player to easily see) so i would prefer lower numbers. (if you get 5 xp for killing a wolf instead of 500 xp, the needed xp can also be lower).

I guess I can only agree with you Suliman if the wolf is a level on creature. I would hate to see someone get less than 500-1200xp for killing something like a dragon :P I think ff7 in terms of xp reward. Higher numbers are more exciting. If I'm still only getting 20xp-100 at level 16 I might be wondering why I'm even playing...

Why doesn't the formula work right for level 4? I must be crunching numbers wrong...

level 4 = level 3 + 40 fights * (level * level * 5)

(950) + 40 * (3 * 3 * ) = 2750..

You have 3,650..

Honestly, I've always liked linear level gains with more xp for difficult monsters.

The system used in "Tactics ogre: Let us cling together" uses this.

Basically, every level requires 100 xp. Attacking something your level might grant 3-4 xp, and killing it might grant 10~

Attacking something under your level only grants 1 xp, and killing it might grant 4~

Attacking something above your level could grant 8-9 xp and killing it might give 30~

It removed all the need to grind, unless you were at a really hard part, or wanted to get a special condition (bonus objective), but it still felt like your characters were progressing in line with the story.

Why doesn't the formula work right for level 4? I must be crunching numbers wrong...

level 4 = level 3 + 40 fights * (level * level * 5)

(950) + 40 * (3 * 3 * ) = 2750..

You have 3,650..

It was the 40 fights, for level 4 I had a requirement of 60 fights.

Ugh, I'm really bad at all this statistical junk, but I just made a semi linear curve. Tell me if this is anywhere in the ballpark.

This is number of fights from level 1-20

20/30/40/60/80/100/140/180/220/260/300/360/400/500/600/800/1600/2600

It feels about right. Level 19 or 20 is in the 2 Million range. That's 5000 fights at 500xp :)

Well my calculations were dumb, but with the calc I get.

Level 1: 100
Level 2: 600
Level 3: 1800
Level 4: 4800
Level 5: 10,000
Level 6: 18,000
Level 7: 34,300
Level 8: 57,600
Level 9: 89,100
Level 10: 130,000
Level 11: 181,500
Level 12: 259,200
Level 13:338,000
Level 14: 490,000
Level 15:675,000
Level 16: 1,024,000
Level 17: 2,312,000
Level 18: 4,212,000
Level 19: 5,595,500
Level 20: 8,200,000

Just need to give out a couple creatures worth 1000-1500 in the end of the game.