Neverwinter's new module, Jewel of the North, has now landed on PC, with new content and changes in tow, such as a new Bard class and overhauled levelling system among others. For example, Cryptic Studios is streamlining Neverwinter's levelling system, bringing it down from 80 to 20 – an opportunity the devs saw "to bring the game closer to its D&D roots". We spoke to lead designer Randy Mosiondz about the new module, who told us this increased harmony marks something positive for the MMO – that "any alignment between Neverwinter and its tabletop inspiration that bring[s] it closer together is a good thing".
The way the new, streamlined levelling system works hinges on a feature called the Adventure Log. This does away with the XP bar (yep, that'll be gone when you fire up the new module), and instead of racking up XP from beating bosses and completing quests as in traditional MMOs, you'll instead progress through milestones.
The system is derived from Dungeons & Dragons' fifth edition and based on "larger adventures" based across various zones, all of which have been fine-tuned to offer a more "concise narrative experience". These all give out a certain number of levels up until the new cap of 20 when completed.
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