Level-locking: The Savior of PVP and Everquest II

One of the most controversial topics on the Everquest II player versus player (pvp) servers is whether players should be allowed to disable adventure experience and lock in at a specific level (level-locking). The level 70 players constantly whine that this is ruining the game because there are less players pvping at level 70. I say to them, NO WAY!! Level locking is the savior of the pvp servers.

1. Accessibility of PVP - Allowing players to lock their level earlier in the game allows players to participate in PVP at a much lower cost. If there was no level locking, the amount of pvp at lower levels would be dramatically reduced and players would have to level to 7o to get to consistently participate. The time it would take for a casual player to reach 70 would be too great for them to even consider playing on a pvp server. Level-locking allows casual players to participate in pvp.

2. Tradeskilling - Level-locking has added new markets for tradeskillers. On the pvp servers there is a very healthy market for T2 through T6 mastercrafted armor, weapons and spells. Unlike on pve servers, because people are staying in these tiers for longer times, they are willing to spend their plat on lower level mastercrafted gear. This has created a very healthy tradeskill economy on the pvp servers.

3. Use of More Content - Unlike on pve servers, pvpers hunt in almost every zone in a given tier in order to maximize their AA points. This is great for the game. On pve servers, players really don’t have an incentive not to fly through the levels. However, for a level-locker, it is very important to maximize the number of AA points they have gained by the time they reach the level they are going to lock at. These AA points make a huge difference in pvp effectiveness.

4. Equipment Strategy - Level-lockers also get to experience more of the game because they camp mobs to get that uber T2 bracelet. A non-level-locker would not care about the Howler Bracelet dropped in Blackburrow. The non-level-locker would not waste their time camping Howler for this level 17 bracelet because they would be reaching level 22 quick enough not to make camping worthwhile. However, for the level-locker this 17 bracelet is really uber.

5. Proliferation of Alts - Not that Everquest II players need a reason to create more players, level-locking certainly adds another reason to create alts. In my guild, players create an alt for each tier of pvp. When someone wants to pvp in T2, they roll out their T2 toon. If a T3 pvp group is forming, they roll out their T3 toon. I love the diversity of gameplay that this allows.

What do you think about level-locking?