Dungeons & Dragons Online Q&A #5

[GameBanshee News]

The fifth installment of MMORPG.com's ongoing Dungeons & Dragons Online Q&A is now available, with community manager Victor Wachter once again answering the questions. An excerpt:

Q: Can you explain what you mean by "four ranks per level"?

A: The game uses the standard D&D level progression system for the most part – experience points, leading to level advancements, new feats, spells and other abilities. However, Core D&D stops at level 20 before you get into epic level content. This works well in the pen and paper environment, given the pacing and time between levels. However, MMORPG players are used to a greater number of milestones in developing their characters, and we wanted to be sure that expectation was served as well.

Using four ranks per level allows us to add these milestones within the Core Rules’ system. While a character progresses through each level, they will gain ranks along the way, which will also give them points that they can spend on various enhancements, such as attack or saving throw bonuses. Once a character has earned all four ranks within a level, they will be ready to move up to the next one.