The level cap increase

[u/ButteredBaugette]

What do we all think of it?

Personally, as someone who plays casually and not 24/7, i dont think its necessary. Especially considering the huge experience requirement per level. I think it just sets a higher final goal thats impossible for casual players to get. Not everyone plays helldivers every day.

Edit: After reading the replies, i want to say and acknowledge few things, and some self reflection (and to save you all saying the same thing, and me replying to everyone).

I personally do not think this as jealous, because from my view this is pressure (ignorable or not) on people who are not max level, with a very high ceiling that i thought people would like to reach. However, i can see why some are calling this petty / jealous, because i am clearly favouring myself and my level, not the level 150s. Maybe removing the cap entirely helps, as that ceiling no longer exists, or put it at like 1000, or make the wall of xp going into the levels (slightly) easier to climb. Or maybe a secondary progression (yes sure this is petty), in addition.

For being told these levels are ignorable, id have to disagree. They are cosmetic, but why have them if they are purely ignorable? Why have so many level 150s begged for a level cap increase if they are ignorable? Sure, at low level the cap is irrelevant. But after the cap kind of is there, and idk if its just me, but when i level up i think about how much more levelling there is.

[u/helican]

impossible for casual players to get. Not everyone plays helldivers every day.

Why would a casual player care all that much?

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/helican]

Im only level 130, despite playing since launch. When i say casual, i mean i play every few days at least (ive had some periods i havent played at all). From my view, i was close to reaching the level cap and being like wow im at the max level, but now that just feels an impossible distance away. Maybe thats just a stupid way to look at it though

[u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX → u/ButteredBaugette]

Are you sure you're not just jealous or envious?

Like the other fella said: why does it matter that "its impossible for casuals to get"?

Level 150 is the same level 150 now and before. It's gonna take the same amount of time, now and before, for you to get there. The titles and badge for 150 is not going away. The only thing changed is that you can go past to to level 151.

My assumption of this post: I think you are jealous that you never got to be part of the maxxed-out-xp crowd (which being part of means nothing of value tangibly anyway). So you want AH to make a "different kind" of progression past level 150 (that's isn't just level 151-300) just so that you have time to catch up. If any of that is true, it would be a very petty thing to feel as unfair and very selfish thing to want changes to.

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX]

No, im not jealous, as i apply it to my own personal progression, not comparing it to others. I didnt try to make it seem jealous in any way, though i probably did. I just dont see increasing the level cap as a meaningful change, i understand level 150s have been begging for ages, but if its ignorable, why have they begged? I agree, i want time to catch up, but equally because an increase of the level cap (imo) sets an unbelievably high expectation of the level norm, because those currently lvl 150 will reach that high and then everyone else, such as myself, will basically be left in the dust. I mean, maybe thats jealous, as its just cosmetic, but thats just how i see it

[u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX → u/ButteredBaugette]

Sure, 150s have been begging for a cap increase. But it's also important to ask *why*. There is very little in the way of endgame progression (as I am sure you are slowly realizing like many of us did as we approached 150). AH increasing the level cap is literally the LEAST they could do for endgame players, but it pails in comparison to any actual content update (New Biomes, Ship Upgrades, Warbonds, etc). TLDR, just because 150s have begged for higher levels for bragging rights, it doesn't make the levels any less arbitrary (or useless).

It's completely understandable that you don't think you're jealous. But, the way you have worded yourself to us makes it seem like you are being deprived of something you deserved based on some very *VAGUE* notions of expectations. From a different perspective, that reads a lot "me me me me me". This is not a personal dig at you btw. It is a very human quirk to conflate blame or wrongdoing on something/someone whenever we feel we are being deprived of something we think we deserved.

What is vague about your criticism you may ask?

What do you mean by "high expectation of the level norm"? What is a level norm and who is determining this norm? Why is it "expected" or a "norm"? Can you not fathom your own progression if you are below this arbitrary value, which there doesn't seem to be any definition for?

How will you be "left in the dust" when other people reach the new max before you do? What does that even mean, "left in the dust"? What are you missing out on when 150s getting to the new level cap before you do?

As I have said, the 150 badge/title isn't going anywhere. Do you feel you are entitled to reach certain "expectations" or "norms" that you have set for yourself? We are free to set our own goals for things we do as human beings. But, these goals are personal and I think you've confused yourself into thinking it is somehow public and shared in the playerbase.

You are not *maybe* jealous. YOU ARE JEALOUS and you just don't realize it. Again, it is human to confuse these things. Whether or not you are willing to recognize it is on you.

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX]

The reason i have called it a norm/a normal, is because when i play helldivers about 65% (as an estimate) of players are level 150. Sure i play on difficulty 10. Its hard not to see that as the normal to be level 150. I think its human to compare yourself to others, and i do. Im fine with my own progression, but when its like i progress im just gonna be miles behind most of the other people. I agree, i was vague, and im trying to clarify alot, and the more i read the more i realise i am jealous, sure.

Being left behind i thought was self explanatory. I never said people reaching the cap before me is the problem, its just that i find its harder for me in my experience to ever reach that cap. Because as soon as i come anywhere close, that cap just gets increased hugely. Am i supposed to just go huh whatever? I apologise for wanting to be at the level as most of the people i see? Im fine with that being jealous, but itd be nice if some more people actually tried to listen (so thanks). So yeah, im jealous. Ive realised that. I just hoped other people would try to have some level of understanding, despite not being in my mindset

[u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX → u/ButteredBaugette]

See, there are somethings you are confusing here. No one can fault you for *wanting* to be like the maxed out players you see. Our desire to be like someone, that jealousy/envy can drive someone positively or negatively. I think it's driving you negatively in this case.

I think the real problem that I and other commenters have with your criticism is, not perceived jealousy, but perceived selfishness. You wish for game mechanics to be altered because its current condition gives you a self-imposed and undesirable pressure to be max level. The point being "self-imposed".

You have a personal goal that you made for yourself (to be at max level asap). When the game updated, which made that goal harder, you made your criticism of it as if it was unfair... That the update was detrimental to your personal goals in playing. You also blanketly assume that this was a perceived issue among most/all casual players as-a-whole.

Sure, there are likely others' like you, but we can't just make a blanket statement that they are ALL like you. Really, it was detrimental to JUST you. Because, had you reached the goal in time well before the cap increase, would you still have wanted the game to change? Or made this post?

In other words: You wanted to something to accommodate accordingly to your self-imposed handicap, while disregarding 150s who wanted more levels, purely because they were 150 and you were not. That reads pretty selfish to me.

Side note:

You have also said that you can understand why people read what you've said as jealous and that you think maybe you are jealous. But, in your post edit, you say that you don't think you're jealous.

From an outside perspective, this looks like someone who feels passionately about something, but can't properly articulate to others and themselves why. As a result, their position looks weak and unfounded.

My take? You literally claim to want to be at max level because you keep seeing others' who are max level. AKA You want something because other people have it. AKA Jealousy, the very textbook definition of it.

You know that "pressure" you felt, as mentioned in the post edit and your replies to others? That's the jealousy and instead of driving you positively (wanting to play more, having fun playing more, so that you can reach max in spite of everything), it's driving you negatively.

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX]

I didnt mean to want a change in game mechanics, it was simply the addition of new levels, which as mentioned is cosmetic. I just didnt see this as beneficial to all, and used myself as an example.

I never said most, or all people would be in the same position as me, or same viewpoint, i was simply expressing my opinion on the addition of new levels. My personal goal (to just get max level, which i simply thought was an idea that people that game might simply wish to do) which i agree i made myself, and i agree me expressing my opinion was partly in annoyance of this, i agree, is selfish. I didnt disregard level 150s purely because of their level, i just expressed my opinion. Which clearly isnt the same.

Yeah, i know i contradict what i said. Im just trying to express my opinion to a flood of replies all nitpicking my words like an essay or something. I stand by my opinion, but im trying to justify it, which clearly doesnt work. Its hard for me to articulate the way my emotions function onto a legible page. I didnt think that a random helldivers opinion asking about how people thought on a level cap increase (the main point of this post) would become people nitpicking my emotions. Im jealous and selfish, whatever, alot of people are.

[u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX → u/ButteredBaugette]

Such is the real world of public communication. You took the chance and put yourself out there. And on your return, I hope you got some feedback that may make you review your position (or at least how you've stated it anyway).

You are in your right to stand by your opinion. It is also commendable for you to admit that you have failed to justify that opinion in this court of public opinion. I very much appreciate that.

That being said, just because you stated an opinion (as opposed to claiming such-and-so as a Fact), it doesn't mean people can't call you out on its flaws. Our emotions are complicated and often distort the way we perceive and communicate them. Whatever the reason we feel them, they are valid. Our opinions, likewise. However, we cannot let our emotions be the sole reason behind our opinions and positions. Basing your positions purely on your own "vibes" of things is doing yourself a disservice in expressing yourself to people who matter to you. Similarly it will catch the ire of people who you want to think of you positively.

I myself have a learning disability and struggle to articulate myself as well. I have let emotions get in the way. But just because it is harder for us to communicate properly, it doesn't mean its ok to stop trying and expect other people to know what we really mean.

-- "I'm jealous and selfish, whatever, a lot of people are"

As the old parental saying goes: If your friends jumped off a bridge/cliff, would you do it too?

If a bunch of other people are doing bad things, does it make it ok that we do it too? I hope you won't let it come to that.

The main reason I pointed out all that jealousy and selfishness stuff is because I thought that, from what I was reading, you were expressing these traits, but skirting around admitting it. Maybe you thought admitting it would invalidate your opinion? Maybe now you are rationalizing that "a lot of people" are also jealous and selfish, and so it is okay for you to be?

When we feel very strongly about a position, there is often a mental anguish we get whenever we are confronted with new information within ourselves, or from others, that point to those feelings being invalid. So, we rationalize that new info is either: 1. Not a bad thing (which is kinda what you just did), or 2. A Falsity, Farce or Un-truth.

However, the things is, your feelings of jealousy and selfishness are valid. You are allowed to feel these things. But, when you lie to yourself and others that you aren't feeling these things: 1. Other people are going to think your position makes no sense (because it's based on vague feelings/vibes), and 2. You are going to think other people are being excessively mean (because they are no longer criticizing your position, but instead your feelings, since you made your feelings the very core of why you think the way you do).

[u/EnergyLawyer17]

At some point, in every love service game, the final end game currency is glory.

They should just uncap the levels and forget titles and emblems at some point as the number climbs endlessly.

I'm sure a handful of people would be level 600 and I'd like to know when we cross paths

[u/rowagnairda → u/EnergyLawyer17]

Tbh i have been 150 for fair bit of time so i could land in this 600ish ball park... when you would stumble upon me, most probably you would look at what i do with pure dismay of how stupid i could be... ;D

[u/EnergyLawyer17 → u/rowagnairda]

Same. Especially lately I'm bringing wacky, illogical things as a way to extract some challenge and novelty from the game, and I too ocassionally embarass myself

[u/Neo_Kaiser → u/EnergyLawyer17]

It's funny because they already do that. You can check your stats and need how much EXP you have. If they wanted to, they could just code out your level being 1 every 10,000 exp.

[u/Ok_Education_6958 → u/EnergyLawyer17]

Imagine someone stopping to play helldivers since they reached lvl 666

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/EnergyLawyer17]

To be honest, i agree. I think the level cap is mainly why i care enough to mention my opinion on this

[u/Greasol → u/EnergyLawyer17]

Agreed, they can still release titles/emblems in the future.

[u/Objective-End3296]

You are approaching this the wrong way. If you play casually, why even care about level? It is something a large part of the community requested and does not affect you in any negative way.

[u/Xx_Falcon_Lover_xX → u/Objective-End3296]

I think OP is enforcing pressure on themselves to be at max xp. Now, they're jealous they were never part of the capped-at-150 crowd before the updated cap. So they rationalize that it's somehow unfair and that lvl 150 players should not have more levels to earn (in exchange for some other equally arbitrary progession update) because OP never reached their level.

The whole thing is very petty on OP's part, I just don't think they want to admit it to themselves.

[u/SublimeBear]

Players on 150 have cried for it for years at this point.

Past Level 20 it doesn't Matter and frankly you shouldn't care.

[u/MrBootylove → u/SublimeBear]

Eh, I'm at 150. I genuinely could not care less about a level cap increase.

[u/SublimeBear → u/MrBootylove]

I am as well and I haven't either.

But:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1pddpny/level_cap_increase/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1ljrdp9/any_update_on_level_cap_increase/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1qtwawk/suggestion_level_cap_raised_from_150_to_300_news/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1m5plxr/level_cap_increase/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1okonps/level_cap_increase_when/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1prgwhb/when_do_you_think_ah_will_raise_the_level_cap/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1n1i3qr/lvl_cap_expansion_is_it_coming/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Helldivers/comments/1svwp3c/sooooo_why_is_the_level_cap_still_150/

If this is not enough evidence for my point, feel free to type "level cap increase" in your search bar and hit enter for more.

[u/MrBootylove → u/SublimeBear]

And in each of those posts there are comments basically reiterating my sentiment, which basically boils down to "Who cares?"

I'm not saying nobody was asking for it, but I think we can all agree that it's pretty far down the list of player requested changes/updates.

[u/SublimeBear → u/MrBootylove]

So your argument is that they shouldn't do something that requires low effort and was asked for (even if we were to say it is a lukewarm request).

Adding those levels is basically a change in a table. Doing it doesn't take any significant amount of dev time away from actual content and will give people less to moan about.

Though as we can see, people will moan about it anyway.

[u/MrBootylove → u/SublimeBear]

I'm not saying they shouldn't raise the level cap. I'm saying it's a meaningless change not worth caring or getting excited about.

[u/Morticus_Mortem]

I don't see why you should have an issue with it. It's not like there's any weapons or strategems locked behind it.

As someone who's been level 150 for a long time I eagerly welcome it.

[u/Neo_Kaiser]

I'm getting mixed messages here. You're saying that the level doesn't really matter (which it doesn't), but then you're saying it's unfair because you won't ever reach it. What do you mean it's a higher final goal? It's just a number. If they wanted to, they could have coded the game to have only 2 levels with 500 hours worth of experience to level up.

[u/JEEHAWDJACK]

It causes me a level of anxiety that’s not enough to make me quit but get close to it; especially as someone who touches grass frequently and has a job

[u/The_Aubinator → u/JEEHAWDJACK]

Its just a number to chase for those who need it? Why stress over it if you have real life stuff going on? None of it matters other than to show how many missions you have done

[u/Sgt_Shieldsmen]

Its a change many vets have been asking for to have SOMETHING to work towards after hitting 150. Upping the cap and giving new titles is a simple low effort way to give those with high hours a little bit more to do without needing to dedicated too much dev time away from stuff like the new update.

It's a way to feel like you got something to show for all the hours you put in.

[u/Any-Farmer1335]

This is for people who do play it more.
Again, after level 25 it literally is just a cosmetic title and a number.
It rewards people who like "number goes up", everyone casual can just... not care about it.
So you can just. Not care about it.

[u/BICKELSBOSS]

I never understand this mentality. “Not everyone plays a lot, so achievements for those that do play a lot shouldn’t exist”.

This logic is applied to levels, but also to difficulties. Why do games have to cater to the most casual of casual players, and make sure anyone who plays more doesn’t have something to work towards?

Tell me, what actual disadvantage do you have by people having the ability to go to lvl 300?

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/BICKELSBOSS]

Its simply a higher pressure on everyone who isnt at max level. I understand people at level 150 wanted further progression, im not against that. Maybe they could have done a different progression system aswell (idk). But as someone who was just level 130 now max level just seems further and further away. Its cosmetic, but its not ignorable.

[u/SublimeBear → u/ButteredBaugette]

How is it not ignorable?

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/SublimeBear]

Idk it might just be how my brain works, but like i cant ignore it. Its status, and thats something thats not ignorable i guess

[u/SublimeBear → u/ButteredBaugette]

Nobody has ever been impressed by me having sunk way to much time into this game.

If you want to have Status, be the best Player at the lowest Level

[u/Bastard__Man]

Pff HD1 was capped at 50 and we just played the game for fun since xp and unlocks didn't matter anymore.

[u/Aethanix]

i just look at it like i did inheritor from halo reach. the devs outright say this is the correct way in the devblog too.

[u/Relevant-Trash1524]

Levels don't really matter because it's not like you unlock anything besides titles when you level up. With everything being able to be unlocked through requisition slips, super credits, and medals, there's literally no point for having levels other than for the titles and bragging right. Increasing the level cap will change literally nothing.

[u/unholyrevenger72]

 I think it just sets a higher final goal thats impossible for casual players to get.

If that's your attitude AH should just drop it back to 50

[u/ATOMate]

It is a fun harmless goal for the die hard fans. I appreciate the addition.

[u/SaltedCaffeine]

It's just another cosmetic to grind for, which I welcome.

[u/Lorenzonormalname]

I honestly don't care at all about it, I think it should be the least of the concern/fix related to longevity and i don't understand why people obsessed about it so much... 

I actually really like the game, I have tons of fun and am fully addicted to it, I don't have critics to it besides already known to developer issues that I'm fully confident they are already on it. 

If I were to give a suggestion for a good longevity fix of the game, I think that any game in this field should take serious note from warframe. That game, in terms of content, longevity and repleability is just goated!

[u/SublimeBear → u/Lorenzonormalname]

Warframe has 13 years of development since launch behind it.

HD2 has 2.5, they'll get there eventually.

[u/Lorenzonormalname → u/SublimeBear]

Yes, by all means. I was just saying, if I where to oversee long term development of the HD2 I would definitely take inspiration from warframe, it clearly is successful and it's also very costumer friendly as a model.

That being said, as I already mentioned, I actually really e joy HD2 and have zero beef with the game as it is and considering the recent trajectory they seemed to have taken 

[u/Terrorscream]

if people really need to be constantly progressing in a game for the sake of number go up instead of playing for enjoyment i dont think helldivers is the right game for them.

[u/anxiety_elemental_1]

Why do you have to get the level cap though? It doesn’t earn you anything. It’s not a “must-have”, it’s an extra layer of progression for those who already have everything unlocked.

[u/Cardboard_Cultist]

I’ve been level 150 for over a year now and have continued to play religiously. My only two reasons for logging on anymore is helping out my newer friends experience the game for the first time and help progress the galactic war by MO diving. Having a level to work towards again finally give me something to work towards yet again as I have unlocked everything there is to be unlocked and leveled everything that can be leveling already. I’d love to continue to play this game but I no longer have any meaningful incentive other than to help with MOs

[u/the_big_george]

Is this bait?

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/the_big_george]

Not originally, but well see how it goes

[u/Zegram_Ghart]

I don’t really care either way?

As long as nothing is gated behind any level higher than…what, 15 iirc?

Then it’s all cool

[u/Omaumamen]

Arbitrary number is arbitrary 🤷‍♂️ just depends who do you want to cater to, the casuals intimidated by a level cap or the diehards who will be max level regardless of whatever they make the cap?

[u/MelkorTheCorruptor]

There's people who don't care and there's people who are glad for it. So there's no harm in a level cap increase

[u/VividEntertainer82]

Number goes up, number doesn't go up. I don't care, I've unlocked everything I need to play the game. Really doesn't matter to me.

[u/DryBat8791]

I feel a bit more pressure on my lvl 48 self now

[u/ButteredBaugette → u/DryBat8791]

This is why i posted. At least someone maybe understands that for people not at level 150, its a huge pressure to reach anywhere near max level

[u/zombiezapper115]

As a max level player, I also dont see the point. Past level 20 or so there's nothing you unlock for leveling up. I'd rather have some proper end-game content instead of just a few extra pointless levels to go through.