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Character Level (view source)

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{{trope}}
[[File:pld-rdm-75-small_3397small 3397.png|link=Final Fantasy XI|frame|Now I can finally [[Took a Level Inin Badass|take a level in badass]].]]
 
{{quote|''"Wow! [[Lampshade Hanging|I feel as if I've passed some arbitrary experience value and gained more power]]!"''|'''Marcus''', '''''[[Fallout 2]]'''''}}
 
The concept of "experience", in the [[Role -Playing Game]], is based off the idea that people get better or even ''stronger'' at what they do the more they used their abilities. This is quantified by [[Experience Points]], but is usually rewarded by an increase in [['''Character Level]]'''.
 
In most games with Character Levels, the main character starts off with a fairly low "level", usually described in single digits (e.g. "Lv.1"). When they defeat an enemy, they receive [[Experience Points]], and each time their experience reaches a designated threshold, the character "levels up": Their stats increase by a small amount, and they may be rewarded with new skills and abilities. This improves the character's ability to vanquish monsters, and allows the player to successfully take down larger monsters (with higher yields of experience) over time.
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Depending on the game, the increase in level may either have a predetermined effect, [[Character Customization|allow the player to invest into new abilities and stats]], or a combination of the two. Some games even tried to make the process more logical by [[Stat Grinding|increasing the attributes the character has used most]].
 
Like many [[Role -Playing Game]] tropes, this comes directly from ''[[Dungeons and& Dragons]]''. It occasionally [[RPG Elements|shows up in other genres as well]].
 
Finally, some games may actually use levels to restrict options. For instance, that [[Infinity+1 Sword]] may [[Level-Locked Loot|require you to reach, say, Level 500]] before you're allowed to even lay eyes on it, let alone pick it up and start bashing monsters. This comes up in games where it's feasible for a level 1 character to get his or her hands on that sword somehow; typically, this would be an online multiplayer system.
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See also [[Level Grinding]], [[Absurdly High Level Cap]], [[Absurdly Low Level Cap]], [[Class and Level System]], [[Level-Locked Loot]], [[Super Weight]], [[Level Scaling]] and [[Stat Grinding]]
 
Oh, and if you're looking for the game called ''Level Up!'', that's [[Level Up (video game)|here]]. And if you are looking for the show called ''Level Up'', that's [[Level Up (TV series)|here]]. And if you're looking for the song "Level Up", see [[Vienna Teng|here]].
 
{{examples}}
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* In the DS ''[[Dinosaur King]]'' game, the level(s) of your opponent's dinosaurs determine how much EXP you obtain by beating them. Also, as they level up, dinosaurs produce Move Cards, which can be equipped on any dinosaur regardless of their level.
 
=== [[Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game|MMORPG]]s ===
* An interesting usage of this trope involves the MMO Sports game ''[[Shot Online]]'', a golf game where you start as a Level 1 golfer, slicing and hooking the ball like mad, driving off the tee barely 150 yards. The more you play, the more experience you earn, gaining levels, and placing points to stats to straighten and lengthen those shots...
* ''[[Battle Stations]]'' - [[RPG Elements|levelling up]] gives you stat points that can be used to boost your abilities, and allows access to better ships and equipment.
* Largely averted in ''[[RunescapeRuneScape]]''. Although there's a combat and skill total levels, the levels have to be gained for every skill separately.
* The MMO ''[[Video Game/Dark Ages 1999|Dark Ages]]'' handled character levels in the usual way, but it called them "insights", which at least added some flavor and an explanation as to why your character was suddenly better at something: he or she was said to have "gained a flash of insight". Later updates to the game ruined this flavor, though, by implementing a [[They Changed It, Now It Sucks|"Level Up" graphic above the character's head]].
 
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* ''[[Blur (video game)|Blur]]'' has Fan Levels. As your fan level increases, you unlock new cars and new mods. In single player this is capped at 25. In multiplayer this is capped at 50 with the option to enter Legend Mode, similar to Prestige in ''[[Call of Duty]] [[Modern Warfare]]'' in that your level resets to 1 and you can go through the progression again (up to 10 times), except each Legend Mode unlocks another new car.
 
=== [[Role -Playing Game]]s ===
* The ''[[Fallout]]'' series has a fairly generic level-up system similar to ''[[GURPS]]'' (which it was originally slated to use), in which each level-up is primarily focused on allocating skill points. Base attributes do not change upon level-up, but every third level grants a perk for further customization of the player character. Your [[NPC|NPCs]]s level up as well, and, as the page quote shows, they will throw in some funny lines when they do. [[Fallout|Fallout's]] level system is notable for not holding the player back from wielding powerful weapons in an open game, allowing people in later playthroughs to pick up [[Game Breaker|devastating weapons and armor]] early on with the proper know-how. This is marginally balanced by the fact that most low-level characters won't be able to pick up enough ammo or even hit anything with an energy weapon at 20% skill with it.
* Despite being a card game, some [[Genre Shift|Genre Shifting]]ing ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' video games do this, preventing you from using stronger cards until you "level up" to their caliber. This has sometimes gone to the extreme, not only preventing you from using cards higher than your current level, but whose collective experience point total is higher than yours, as well, essentially forcing you to play with lackluster cards until you're more than halfway through the game.
** The card game itself has "Level Monsters", monsters that are capable of Leveling up and becoming stronger. Lower level monsters usually just need to survive a turn to level up, but destroying a monster in battle is also typical. Higher leveled monsters usually get some benefit from being leveled up from their previous level, while the highest leveled monsters typically cannot be summoned by any way but by leveling up the previous leveled monster.
*** The card Level Up can also be used to bypass any leveling conditions, it tends to be abused.
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* In ''[[The World Ends With You]]'', you and your partner go up a level as soon as you gain enough experience. The beam of light that accompanies this phenomenon has been observed to damage enemies. Your effective level is adjustable on the Phone Menu, increasing the chance of pin drops at the expense of making you weaker. There is a level cap of 100, at which point, it displays a star instead of a number, and the "Next" value is permanently 0. Leveling increases your HP and Bravery permanently (meaning lowering your effective level will not reduce them). Stat gains are achieved by eating.
* The first two ''[[Paper Mario (franchise)|Paper Mario]]'' games also take a somewhat different direction. When Mario levels, he can choose between more hitpoints, Flower Points (used for special attacks) and Badge Points (which can be used to equip badges with a variety of effects). His offense on the other hand is upgraded by finding better hammers and boots, and the Star powers are plot-related. His partners don't level at all but can be upgraded twice, resulting in more hitpoints (in the second game), offense and a new move.
** ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' and sequels have a different, albeit slightly similar variation. As well as the standard leveling up, a bonus slot machine type wheel appears and you can choose any stat to add a few more points to each time. The latest game also adds ranks which are gotten by [[Character Level|CharacterLevels]], each enabling you to equip more items/gear.
* Averted (for the most part) in ''[[Monster Hunter]]'', which is a bit of a surprise given its MMO-like structure. The character's abilities depend directly on two factors: player skill and gear. Played straight in some versions where you can recruit NPC companions who do indeed level up.
* ''[[.hack GU Games|.Hack//G.U]]'' uses your character level to lock you out of higher level equipment till you hit that level.
* Inverted in the first two ''Rockman.EXE / [[Mega Man Battle Network]]'' games, the first ''Ryuusei no Rockman / [[Mega Man Star Force]]'' game, and ''Rockman.EXE: Operate Shooting Star'', their [[Crossover]]. Instead of having to level up in order to increase your abilities, your level is calculated based on the upgrades you've acquired (although ''Star Force'' and ''Operate Shooting Star'' add levels for certain postgame achievements, to round out the max to 100). There are no experience points whatsoever, and the level itself is mostly cosmetic, which may explain why most sequels dropped them altogether.
* The NES/Famicom (along with its [[Updated Rerelease|Updated Rereleases]]s) game ''[[Final Fantasy II]]'' went the "level up only what you've been using" route, and applied it to weapons and spells as well as stats (for example, your maximum HP would increase if you got hurt a lot). Needless to say, it didn't last, although its remakes have made it less grindy and more generous and balanced, along with removing the occasional stat decreases from the NES/Famicom version.
* In ''[[Infinite Space]]'', only assigned crew members will gain experience points from battle, and when they level up, the stat required by their post will go up faster than other stats. The assignment and command skills owned by your crews will level up for each twenty levels.
* ''[[Freelancer]]'' levels are based on ''money'', except if you're still playing through the story, in which case every other level requires you to complete a storyline mission. These levels allow you to purchase mightier ships, which in turn have better armor, shields, armament capacity, and cargo space.
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=== [[Stealth Based Game]]s ===
* The early ''[[Metal Gear]]'' had leveling systems. In the first ''[[Metal Gear 1987(video game)|Metal Gear]]'' (and ''[[Snake's Revenge]]''), Snake is promoted in rank as he rescues hostages, increasing not only his maximum health, but also the maximum capacity of items and ammo he can carry. In ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'', Snake's level increases after defeating a boss.
 
=== [[Survival Horror]] ===
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* ''[[Jagged Alliance]]'' has an "Experience Level" that increases slowly whenever the character's attributes or skills go up (no matter which skills...). It increases performance in nearly every aspect of gameplay, but does not increase the level of challenge (that's based on another, character-irrelevant value). However, more experienced characters do cost more to hire, which means that you need to watch out not to train your characters beyond your financial means.
 
== Non-video game examples: ==
=== [[Film]] ===
* In ''[[The Gamers|The Gamers: Dorkness Rising]]'', which is, after all, about ''[[Dungeons and& Dragons]]'', the characters are explicitly stated to be level 9. Which, considering their abilities, seems about right.
 
=== [[Tabletop Games]] ===
* ''[[Exalted]]'' returns to [[Character Level]]sLevels, sort of. It uses the WW system and allows you to buy what you want, but a character's meterstick for power is their Essence stat.
** All of the ''[[New World of Darkness]]'' games feature a meterstick for power (Blood Potency for Vampires, Primal Urge for Werewolves, Wyrd for Changelings and Gnosis for Mages). In most cases, however, this doesn't limit what powers you can buy (save for mages, where Gnosis determines just how many levels a mage can buy in their ranked Arcana).
* Two of the first tabletop RPGs not to use levels at all were ''[[Traveller]]'' and ''[[Rune QuestRuneQuest]]'', which relied on skill and stat advancement entirely.
* Averted in ''[[GURPS]]''. Characters slowly gain Character Points that are used to improve skills, powers or stats. Theoretically a character built on more points is more powerful but the system explicitly notes that even a discrepancy of 25 points is fairly minor.
* ''[[FATAL]]'' apparently has levels too...although your character is supposed to die before level 20. The author considers this a ''good thing''.
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=== [[Web Original]] ===
* The serial ''Memetic Narration'' ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120502231454/http://writetocreate.tumblr.com/ found here]) features a third-person narrator whom the main character can hear. Said narrator informs the main character that as he builds relationships with his friends he will be alerted when the relationships "level up," a la ''[[Persona 3]]'' and ''[[Persona 4]].''
* In the first ''[[Asdfmovie]]'' a character levels up after randomly punching another character in the face.
* [[Mall Fight]]'s perception of a Character Level is absolutely distorted into oblivion. One fighter has some set stats (Attack, Defense, etc.) while another has totally different stats (Strength, Perception, etc) while another doesn't even care about it at all.
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[[Category:Older Than the NES]]
[[Category:Tabletop Game Tropes]]
[[Category:Character Level]]▼
[[Category:CRPG Tropes]]
▲[[Category:Character Level{{PAGENAME}}]]
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