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<blockquote data-quote="S'mon" data-source="post: 2154439" data-attributes="member: 463">I'm not sure, but I'd guess it was influenced by fantasy CRPGs, which though based off D&amp;D tended to have a much steeper power gradient - eg Bard's Tale, Diablo et al.&nbsp; 1e wasn't really intended to function much beyond 10th-12th level, at which point PCs can kill Lolth.&nbsp; 2e tried to make it playable to 20th without really changing the rules.&nbsp; BECMD&amp;D had the 1st-36th system, and was probably the most playable within its intended parameters.I think with 3e there was the design decision to keep the rate of progression - of relative power gain - constant, and it was settled on PCs doubling in power every 6-7 game sessions/2 levels.&nbsp; The idea being to combine a playable game with maximising player satisfaction, satisfaction being linked in designers' minds to rate of power increase.&nbsp; To me though there's a problem in that at high levels the numbers are now too big for the d20 mechanics to handle; the endless NPC stat blocks are a nightmare to GM.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="S'mon, post: 2154439, member: 463"] I'm not sure, but I'd guess it was influenced by fantasy CRPGs, which though based off D&D tended to have a much steeper power gradient - eg Bard's Tale, Diablo et al. 1e wasn't really intended to function much beyond 10th-12th level, at which point PCs can kill Lolth. 2e tried to make it playable to 20th without really changing the rules. BECMD&D had the 1st-36th system, and was probably the most playable within its intended parameters. I think with 3e there was the design decision to keep the rate of progression - of relative power gain - constant, and it was settled on PCs doubling in power every 6-7 game sessions/2 levels. The idea being to combine a playable game with maximising player satisfaction, satisfaction being linked in designers' minds to rate of power increase. To me though there's a problem in that at high levels the numbers are now too big for the d20 mechanics to handle; the endless NPC stat blocks are a nightmare to GM. [/QUOTE]

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