GameBanshee Feature: Realism at AD&D High Levels

What do you think about the ultra high levels in Advanced Dungeons & Dragons you can reach in games such as the expansion pack to Baldur’s Gate II, Throne of Bhaal? Are they something you’d advocate for all AD&D games of the future? Does level 40 sound threatening to the true AD&D we’ve come to know and love?

We invite you to take a look at the new informal editorial entitled Point & Counterpoint, Realism at AD&D High Levels, a stream-of-consciousness and conversational debate by Flagg and myself about some of the strengths and weaknesses of this particular issue. Here’s a dip into it:

Applebrown: What do you think the point is of that… to propel a player suddenly into godhood?

Flagg: Very simple, they attract players by saying that their character will be able to reach high levels. They are, however, unable to “normally” satisfy this in the game and thus they need something spectacular to suddenly give the character a boost.

Flagg: Let me ask you this. What is the fun of playing a level 40 character? What is the challenge?

Applebrown: I would think the challenge is about the same relatively speaking as it would be for a level 5 character, except your array and their array of weapons has increased dramatically which leads to more choices.

Flagg: Well you are missing an important point. What are you going to fight at that level taking the Forgotten Realms setting into account?

Throne of Bhaal will be the first AD&D game to hit level 30… and for that matter, 40. If you have any thoughts or feelings on this, we suggest you take a look.