Difficulty Numbers: Scaling, or Static?

[Tigris]

However, I will say that even in systems or editions with a DC-by-level chart, like 4E's advice for what is a "Hard DC" for a level 13 character or something, the implication is that these DCs translate to more impressive challenges. Those paragon characters are climbing much gnarlier walls than their lower level brethren just like they're fighting giants rather than orcs.

This is exactly what I was thinking. For me it 100% makes sense to have a table what a hard DC by level is, but not the same things should be hard for a level 1 and a level 11.


Having a clear numerical table helps GMs to set challenges as hard as they want, but of course also having a table of what is hard for different (key-)levels (like level 1, 11, 21 or maybe also 6/16/26) helps a GM to not create the feeling of walls becoming harder to climb as you level.