For the love of god - give us Level Sync

[CamAlch]

Good point, we do need more engaging content. I would love it if there were fun things to do like quests with interesting mechanics, especially group quests, even PvP will be offering EXP as a reward in 2.0. The problem is, they are adding all of this end game content like AF armor, dungeons, primals, NMs, etc and there is no fun and engaging content to do along the way (well, maybe besides Toto Rak...). They are faced with a decision, force players to endure through leveling methods they find to be a bore (grinding monsters/leves) or give them the option to bypass it so they can participate in all of this fun stuff.

I will admit that "afk leveling" is not a good system, but it's what they gave us. Until they give is something more desirable, its the only alternative we have. I think what the developers have in mind is, instead of taking away the only method of circumventing the grind, they are going to leave it in until the new systems are fully fleshed out in 2.0.

The simple fact is that in its current state, leveling is not a fun process for many people, and while I understand that some people may love grinding monsters, not everyone shares that sentiment. Just like some people aren't satisfied with end game, some people aren't satisfied with leveling. Both areas are lacking.

All I want are additional methods of leveling, once they deliver that, I could not care less about PLing.

Well I'm glad you can acknowledge that it is not a good system. An even bigger problem than the system itself, is the amount of people who actually think it's brilliant.

And you are right, simply put: leveling is not fun right now. Some enjoy the grind, but many do not. It would be most beneficial for this game to have a decent climb of content leading to 50. Things like a few more low level dungeons like Toto-rak or even Shposhae with some repeatable group quests tied in. Hamlet defence battles could also provide some more leveling opportunities if they stagger the level ranges for various hamlet locations. There just needs to be some degree of option in order to break the monotony. Once this has been accomplished there is no need for a PL system.

As for level sync. Some people really seem to misunderstand the concept of this system. First, I will say that I was NOT a fan of this system in XI. With "skill levels" it produced seriously gimped players once they finally decided to start partying with people at their actual level. It also produced players who did not know how to play their role in a proper party setup.

These are risks you will always run with this type of system. As many have said above, people will always look for the quickest and most efficient method of progression. And once they find it, it will undoubtedly become one of the most popular methods. However, saying that no other methods will exist after that is a huge exaggeration.

But there are way to help prevent this from happening, certain limitations could be put into place on the gains from level syncing, limitations on range of levels that can be synced down to, etc. The point of the system is to allow players to play together, regardless of their level range. The concept is a good one, it can really help foster population growth in the game by allowing people to interact more with the new players coming to the game. Like any other system, there will always be those who over-use or miss-use the system, but it does not always negate the initial benefits of the system.

[Rowyne]

And you are right, simply put: leveling is not fun right now. Some enjoy the grind, but many do not. It would be most beneficial for this game to have a decent climb of content leading to 50. Things like a few more low level dungeons like Toto-rak or even Shposhae with some repeatable group quests tied in. Hamlet defence battles could also provide some more leveling opportunities if they stagger the level ranges for various hamlet locations. There just needs to be some degree of option in order to break the monotony. Once this has been accomplished there is no need for a PL system.

^This, right here! Well said! +1!!!

It's been posted in various places (see here for one example), but this is the heart of the matter. Right now we have two truly viable ways to level battle classes, leves and straight up grinding.

Personally, there is nothing I hate more than standing around, killing random monsters over and over, with no objective other than to grind out exp. So I'm back to square one, leves. >.<

If we had some engaging leveling content like a good bulk of quests, dungeons, hamlet defense, PvP, and implementing a public quest system (all it would take is expanding on the Behest concept), people wouldn't want to just get through the leveling process like a bad tasting cough syrup. The goal of any good MMO is to have the player feel like they're playing the game and having fun, and they just happen to be leveling while doing it.

But, unfortunately Yoshi-P was given a game with one leveling outlet, with no other content or endgame to really speak of. I would have rather the dev team given us more dungeons and things to do along the way, instead of totally blowing the lid off the leveling pace and making PLing possible to funnel everyone toward endgame. But I understand that since much of this version of the game is going to be scrapped, they probably only had enough time/resources to choose either low-mid leveling content, or endgame. I still think they could have somehow found some middle ground, but they didn't, they chose a bandaid, probably thinking that with the small playerbase it wouldn't be detrimental to the future of the game once 2.0 hits and we get an influx of new and returning players.

For them to be right about that, however, it is essential that the dev team put a stop to power leveling in its current form when 2.0 hits. Even more so, there must be leveling content in 2.0 so that people don't want to power level, they want to play the game. Otherwise, the entire point is moot.