Ludonarrative Dissonance and the Level of Field Monsters in Norvrandt

[Vyrerus]

The way leveling works in this game is, I think, just a useful way of showing that while we're getting stronger and progressing in strength, we are not gods.

Rabid dogs do not suddenly become completely harmless because you got jacked as hell. The reason we keep finding similar adds in ever-increasing level ranges isn't because they're getting as absurdly strong as we are; it's because we actually aren't. A rabid dog is always going to be a threat to a human being, no matter how many UFC championships they've won.

In fact, perhaps more helpfully, you can compare the big-ticket enemies of every expansion to see that we're not actually progressing in power as much as you'd think if you were religious about levels. Nidhogg and Shinryu, who had the exact same power source, would reasonably be about equal in power (hell, I'd actually say Shinryu should be weaker, since there's less aether in the eye-batteries); and while they have some crazier tricks up their sleeves, when it comes down to a straight-up fight Hades and the Warrior of Light aren't much stronger. Once Hydaelyn takes the three primals out of Ultima Weapon, it's about as strong as the VIIth Legion's Weapons, just with a bit more wear and tear.

We are not in Dragon Ball Z, we aren't bearing down on progressively more absurd power levels.

*looks at Monk job questline*

*Looks at the beam battle between Shinryu and Omega*

*Watches Louisoix contest Teraflare and Bahamut*


Y-yeah... Not like Dragonball Z or any other power escalation anime at all... nope. >.>;

End expansion bosses are somewhat hard to compare, due to having differing circumstances with vague temporary powerups for the fight or power downs on the bad guys.

2.0 Hydaelyn Assisted
2.5 Nabriales - We do it ourselves

3.0 We do it ourselves
3.3 Nidhogg = Hraesvelgr Eyeball assist

4.0 We do it ourselves, but it's Zenos's first time mantling a primal... on screen? Not sure if he's really bringing Shinryu's full might to bear.


5.0 Blessing assisted, but it fizzles before the end, and only really helps us break out of the chains and augments our already formidable Ardbert-propelled might until Hades engulfs it.
5.3 We do it ourselves.

I mean, obviously there are other bosses and raid bosses, and it's not completely uphill like an escalation anime, but in general it kind of is.

Like by Stormblood, M'naago who's known us for all of a day, but knows our reputation just assumes we'll have no problem whatsoever with any type of Magitek armor. For the WoL, there was definitely a point where ordinary things stopped being a real threat, which is why scenes like the sleeping drugged tea feel so contrived.