Level Grinding: Difference between revisions

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In video game plots, only the hero ever has this advantage. It never occurs to townspeople to walk around their village and bash slimes until they're strong enough to face the pirate who's taken over.
In video game plots, only the hero ever has this advantage. It never occurs to townspeople to walk around their village and bash slimes until they're strong enough to face the pirate who's taken over.


In online [[RPG|RPGs]] (and regular ones occasionally), this is known as "powerleveling" or simply "grinding" and is somewhat controversial, as it can be a tedious, mechanical affair criticized for taking the fun out of a game. It is considered extremely rude to level grind and then [[It's Easy So It Sucks|complain a boss is painfully easy.]]
In online [[RPG|RPGs]] (and regular ones occasionally), this is known as "powerleveling" or simply "grinding" and is somewhat controversial, as it can be a tedious, mechanical affair criticized for taking the fun out of a game. It is considered extremely rude to level grind and then [[It's Easy, So It Sucks|complain a boss is painfully easy.]]


The traditional way of level grinding is to kill lots of a very low level enemy, typically rats. However, [[Metal Slime]]-type enemies that give out large amounts of [[Experience Points|experience]] can shorten the process considerably. Given that the second group are always much more likely to be able to actually kill your character at lower levels, a ladder system is usually employed.
The traditional way of level grinding is to kill lots of a very low level enemy, typically rats. However, [[Metal Slime]]-type enemies that give out large amounts of [[Experience Points|experience]] can shorten the process considerably. Given that the second group are always much more likely to be able to actually kill your character at lower levels, a ladder system is usually employed.
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If the game is unbalanced or mean enough to practically require you to level grind, that's [[Forced Level Grinding]]. On the other hand, there's [[Anti Grinding]], where the developers set up something that stops this behavior, as well as [[Low Level Advantage]].
If the game is unbalanced or mean enough to practically require you to level grind, that's [[Forced Level Grinding]]. On the other hand, there's [[Anti Grinding]], where the developers set up something that stops this behavior, as well as [[Low Level Advantage]].


{{examples|Examples}}
{{examples}}


== Action Game ==
== Action Game ==
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** The grinding is most apparent in ''[[Dragon Quest IV (Video Game)|Dragon Quest IV]]''. Due to the unique chapter set-up, you'll have to do the pre-journey grind FIVE SEPERATE TIMES. Have fun with that.
** The grinding is most apparent in ''[[Dragon Quest IV (Video Game)|Dragon Quest IV]]''. Due to the unique chapter set-up, you'll have to do the pre-journey grind FIVE SEPERATE TIMES. Have fun with that.
** ''III'' for the GBC with its 150+ medals to collect. If you want to obtain all gold medals, prepare to not just fight lots of monsters, but to make ''sure'' you keep the ''right kind'' alive to the end of the fight so the right medal drops!!! And if you do get them all... the game's most powerful dragon gives you the ''ultimate reward!'' He says he's bored and ''goes to sleep!!!''
** ''III'' for the GBC with its 150+ medals to collect. If you want to obtain all gold medals, prepare to not just fight lots of monsters, but to make ''sure'' you keep the ''right kind'' alive to the end of the fight so the right medal drops!!! And if you do get them all... the game's most powerful dragon gives you the ''ultimate reward!'' He says he's bored and ''goes to sleep!!!''
* Since ''[[The World Ends With You (Video Game)|The World Ends With You]]'' subsists on being a [[Self Imposed Challenge]], you wouldn't think you needed to do this... until you realize that you've used up all your Scarletite, you can't replay the game to get more the easy way, and you need it to get postgame improvements (like being able to chain more than 4 battles together). The only way to get more? Start farming for Dark Matter... which is only dropped by two main bosses and {{spoiler|Reaper Beat}}, and even then in pathetically low percentages. The only way to bring those percentages up is to not only have a vicious drop rate to begin with, but to chain like crazy in order to multiply the rate further. It may not be level grinding per se, but damned if you're not killing yourself like crazy to pull it off.
* Since ''[[The World Ends With You (Video Game)|The World Ends With You]]'' subsists on being a [[Self-Imposed Challenge]], you wouldn't think you needed to do this... until you realize that you've used up all your Scarletite, you can't replay the game to get more the easy way, and you need it to get postgame improvements (like being able to chain more than 4 battles together). The only way to get more? Start farming for Dark Matter... which is only dropped by two main bosses and {{spoiler|Reaper Beat}}, and even then in pathetically low percentages. The only way to bring those percentages up is to not only have a vicious drop rate to begin with, but to chain like crazy in order to multiply the rate further. It may not be level grinding per se, but damned if you're not killing yourself like crazy to pull it off.
* ''[[Golden Sun (Video Game)|Golden Sun]]'' can become this at times. At least as an inexperienced player who may not collect all the djinn, you will require [[Level Grinding]]. In ''Golden Sun: TLA'', you can grind until level 99 in the turtle cave, which isn't really hard considering the insane amount of exp Wonderbirds give, if you want to. It isn't required.
* ''[[Golden Sun (Video Game)|Golden Sun]]'' can become this at times. At least as an inexperienced player who may not collect all the djinn, you will require [[Level Grinding]]. In ''Golden Sun: TLA'', you can grind until level 99 in the turtle cave, which isn't really hard considering the insane amount of exp Wonderbirds give, if you want to. It isn't required.
** Then again, if you're a veteran dungeon crawler and just kill everything that comes your way without ever running from a fight (not hard since you recharge PP to heal between combat), you may find yourself ''overleveled'' for some parts without ''ever'' going out of your way to grind. In ''TLA'' you may be so lost during the whole [[Guide Dang It|trident sequence]] that by the time you meet Isaac's team you're ten levels past him.
** Then again, if you're a veteran dungeon crawler and just kill everything that comes your way without ever running from a fight (not hard since you recharge PP to heal between combat), you may find yourself ''overleveled'' for some parts without ''ever'' going out of your way to grind. In ''TLA'' you may be so lost during the whole [[Guide Dang It|trident sequence]] that by the time you meet Isaac's team you're ten levels past him.
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** Averted with Monster Hunter Tri. Monster Hunter Tri's online multiplayer required you to grind "Guild Points" to unlock the more next "level" of quests and monsters.
** Averted with Monster Hunter Tri. Monster Hunter Tri's online multiplayer required you to grind "Guild Points" to unlock the more next "level" of quests and monsters.
*** Averted both ways in the same game. Since you used the same character for both single and multiplayer, a maxed out singleplayer character would find the early game multiplayer trivial since you had already grinded the same monsters in the singleplayer. But it also made the singleplayer trivial since a maxed out multiplayer character fought advanced forms of the same monsters as well as multiplayer exclusive monsters and unlocked equipment far better than anything in the singleplayer. Lesson to be learned? Jump straight into multiplayer, come back later and curb stomp your way through the singleplayer.
*** Averted both ways in the same game. Since you used the same character for both single and multiplayer, a maxed out singleplayer character would find the early game multiplayer trivial since you had already grinded the same monsters in the singleplayer. But it also made the singleplayer trivial since a maxed out multiplayer character fought advanced forms of the same monsters as well as multiplayer exclusive monsters and unlocked equipment far better than anything in the singleplayer. Lesson to be learned? Jump straight into multiplayer, come back later and curb stomp your way through the singleplayer.
* In ''[[Tales of Phantasia (Video Game)|Tales of Phantasia]]'', the best place for grinding would be [[Bonus Dungeon|Moria Gallery]], were the toughest and roughest monsters dwell (and also the ones who give more experience/money). You enter as a little more than a [[Kid Hero|boy of 50 or 60 in level]], and come out as a full grown [[Badass|man of level 90-ish]] with enough money to ignore all the trading sidequests and minigames. Besides, the [[Infinity Plus One Sword]] is on the Gallery's last floor, plus [[Bonus Boss|a couple of powerful summons]]. If you are up to the challenge, no matter how many Cruxis spells [[Big Bad|Daos]] uses against you, you will be able to kill him with a butter knife.
* In ''[[Tales of Phantasia (Video Game)|Tales of Phantasia]]'', the best place for grinding would be [[Bonus Dungeon|Moria Gallery]], were the toughest and roughest monsters dwell (and also the ones who give more experience/money). You enter as a little more than a [[Kid Hero|boy of 50 or 60 in level]], and come out as a full grown [[Badass|man of level 90-ish]] with enough money to ignore all the trading sidequests and minigames. Besides, the [[Infinity+1 Sword]] is on the Gallery's last floor, plus [[Bonus Boss|a couple of powerful summons]]. If you are up to the challenge, no matter how many Cruxis spells [[Big Bad|Daos]] uses against you, you will be able to kill him with a butter knife.
* ''[[Dragon Age]]: Origins'' included a pretty boring grind: if you don't slaughter the entire Dalish settlement, the Elven emissary will appear in your party camp and accept "crafting materials" to upgrade Elven troops' equipment for the [[Final Battle]]. Now, "crafting materials" include Elfroots, which are available for 60 copper pieces in ''unlimited quantity'' at the Elven camp, and each batch of 89 pieces (called "Give all Elfroots") nets you ''880 XP'' (meaning it costs only 112 gold to grind from level 0 to the level [[Cap]]--roughly an eighth of the transaction volume you can potentially have in single playthrough). So, just go to the Dalish camp, buy an inventory full of Elfroots, return to the party camp and grind.
* ''[[Dragon Age]]: Origins'' included a pretty boring grind: if you don't slaughter the entire Dalish settlement, the Elven emissary will appear in your party camp and accept "crafting materials" to upgrade Elven troops' equipment for the [[Final Battle]]. Now, "crafting materials" include Elfroots, which are available for 60 copper pieces in ''unlimited quantity'' at the Elven camp, and each batch of 89 pieces (called "Give all Elfroots") nets you ''880 XP'' (meaning it costs only 112 gold to grind from level 0 to the level [[Cap]]--roughly an eighth of the transaction volume you can potentially have in single playthrough). So, just go to the Dalish camp, buy an inventory full of Elfroots, return to the party camp and grind.
* In ''[[Etrian Odyssey (Video Game)|Etrian Odyssey]]'', trying to 'skip' to the labyrinth's next floor without having explored a substantial amount of the one you're on will ensure swift death. Oh, and the only way to earn money in the game is to sell off items dropped by monsters. A game where sidequests are arguably a time-consuming practical necessity for the rewards, loot, and exp potentially gained by completing them. You'll [[Nintendo Hard|need]] the lot.
* In ''[[Etrian Odyssey (Video Game)|Etrian Odyssey]]'', trying to 'skip' to the labyrinth's next floor without having explored a substantial amount of the one you're on will ensure swift death. Oh, and the only way to earn money in the game is to sell off items dropped by monsters. A game where sidequests are arguably a time-consuming practical necessity for the rewards, loot, and exp potentially gained by completing them. You'll [[Nintendo Hard|need]] the lot.
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* ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics (Video Game)|Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' took level grinding (or, more specifically, stat-maxing) to unparalleled heights. The [[Bonus Dungeon|Deep Dungeon]] featured tiles that, when stepped on, would level your character '''down'''. These could be exploited by raising a character up with a stat-boosting job, then leveling the character down in a job with very weak stats (so the gain would overpower the loss), and then REleveling him up with another job to work on new stats. Many game-breaking tricks were possible to gain JP/XP... for example one could put an enemy to sleep and also speed break them repeatedly, which combined to give the player hundreds of free turns for every turn the opponent got. During each of these free turns you could steal from them, gaining party-wide JP and gold simultaneously.
* ''[[Final Fantasy Tactics (Video Game)|Final Fantasy Tactics]]'' took level grinding (or, more specifically, stat-maxing) to unparalleled heights. The [[Bonus Dungeon|Deep Dungeon]] featured tiles that, when stepped on, would level your character '''down'''. These could be exploited by raising a character up with a stat-boosting job, then leveling the character down in a job with very weak stats (so the gain would overpower the loss), and then REleveling him up with another job to work on new stats. Many game-breaking tricks were possible to gain JP/XP... for example one could put an enemy to sleep and also speed break them repeatedly, which combined to give the player hundreds of free turns for every turn the opponent got. During each of these free turns you could steal from them, gaining party-wide JP and gold simultaneously.
* Any game made by [[Nippon Ichi]], which usually takes this to the extreme (generally the maximum level in these games is 9999). On top of this, the Random Dungeons most leveling up takes place in usually work towards the development of your characters and/or their equipment. It's two! Two! Two grinds for the price of one!
* Any game made by [[Nippon Ichi]], which usually takes this to the extreme (generally the maximum level in these games is 9999). On top of this, the Random Dungeons most leveling up takes place in usually work towards the development of your characters and/or their equipment. It's two! Two! Two grinds for the price of one!
** The ''[[Disgaea]]'' series especially falls into this category, being custom-made for Grinders. Levels top off at 9999 (excluding transmigrations), and ''while'' you're grinding, you're also turning your weapons into [[Infinity Plus One Sword|Infinity Plus One Swords]] in the process.
** The ''[[Disgaea]]'' series especially falls into this category, being custom-made for Grinders. Levels top off at 9999 (excluding transmigrations), and ''while'' you're grinding, you're also turning your weapons into [[Infinity+1 Sword|Infinity Plus One Swords]] in the process.
** Fortunately, it's very easy to be a smartarse and game the system what for. The fact that you can "Fuse" enemies by way of throwing them into their kin and up the rewards for killing the stronger result is practically built for this.
** Fortunately, it's very easy to be a smartarse and game the system what for. The fact that you can "Fuse" enemies by way of throwing them into their kin and up the rewards for killing the stronger result is practically built for this.
*** Including transmigrations, the levels go even higher. Apparently the maximum number of stored levels you can get before storing more stops having an effect is ''185000'' - and that's not counting the 9999 levels you can make a character gain normally.
*** Including transmigrations, the levels go even higher. Apparently the maximum number of stored levels you can get before storing more stops having an effect is ''185000'' - and that's not counting the 9999 levels you can make a character gain normally.
** ''[[Disgaea 3]]'' adds a third aspect to the grinding with the Class World, which allows you raise a character's aptitudes, as well. Taken to the extremes in ''[[Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten (Video Game)|Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten]]'', where any character can get all of their aptitudes to a max of 300%.
** ''[[Disgaea 3]]'' adds a third aspect to the grinding with the Class World, which allows you raise a character's aptitudes, as well. Taken to the extremes in ''[[Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten (Video Game)|Disgaea 4 a Promise Unforgotten]]'', where any character can get all of their aptitudes to a max of 300%.
** ''[[Phantom Brave]]'' has what may be the easiest level grind in existence. Goes like this: There's an easy way to get a character that can easily "steal" objects that are much higher level early in the game. Use it to get high-level items and fuse them together. Use that item to power level the character, then have it get even higher-level items. Before long, all you have to do to level any character up is to hand it your hand-made [[Infinity Plus One Sword]] and watch the levels add up. (However, every new character starts with a [[Cap|level cap]] of 100...but this can be easily raised to the 9,999 maximum with a few fusions.)
** ''[[Phantom Brave]]'' has what may be the easiest level grind in existence. Goes like this: There's an easy way to get a character that can easily "steal" objects that are much higher level early in the game. Use it to get high-level items and fuse them together. Use that item to power level the character, then have it get even higher-level items. Before long, all you have to do to level any character up is to hand it your hand-made [[Infinity+1 Sword]] and watch the levels add up. (However, every new character starts with a [[Cap|level cap]] of 100...but this can be easily raised to the 9,999 maximum with a few fusions.)
* Made ridiculously easy in ''[[Luminous Arc]]'', where healing or buffing any ally earns the character casting the spell 30 experience, and it takes 100 exp to level. This doesn't sound so special until you realise that upon gaining a level, your [HP] and [MP] are reset to full, allowing you to simply go to a low-level map with all your healers and buffers and boost them up by massive amounts.
* Made ridiculously easy in ''[[Luminous Arc]]'', where healing or buffing any ally earns the character casting the spell 30 experience, and it takes 100 exp to level. This doesn't sound so special until you realise that upon gaining a level, your [HP] and [MP] are reset to full, allowing you to simply go to a low-level map with all your healers and buffers and boost them up by massive amounts.


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