Playing with the level cap and XP values...

1. I'm sorta midway through the game at lvl 28 right now. Can I apply the patch now? I am with the UAP too.

2. Would changes to XP values be retroactive for saves? If I put lower values will I automatically level up to the new level when I load a save or what? Also, what would happen if I enter higher xp values? Does it remove character points/levels or other stuff.

3. Where would I get the original xp_level.mes file?

4. I couldn't find any logic in the xp progression in the file included with the patch. Is there an overall idea behind the values?

Also - there is an interesting remark in the comments of the file:

If indeed it is from the developers I can only surmise that the game hasn't been even half-done by the time of the release...
What do you think? Is there merit to such a line of thought?

 

Yes, you can, but only the universal level cap remover is compatible with the UAP.

No, your stats won't revert, you will just need more XP to advance to a new level.

Unpack Arcanum4.dat.

There's no logic as far as we know.

I have a pre-release version of the game, and xp_level.mes has the same remark there, despite the significantly lower XP values. I suppose, the line was put in midway through development and was just never removed.

 

Right... another thing I forgot to ask:
Is there any hardcoded limit to the level cap? Because I can easily modify the source and recompile the whole...

As for 4. - I thought as much. After subjecting the values of the file to analysis by method of intuition of yours truly I found the change between levels and the resulting rate of change to be completely arbitrary.
So yea - in 2 words: No bloody logic.

Thanks for the other things as well.

 

I do hope you are aware that those were actually three words, good sir.

 

Indeed I am... twas my intention to do so.

 

Sure there is, that's why you need the level cap remover patch.

 

Well... in this case the wording may have been a little bad, since its tweaking the .exe directly.

Here is the more relevant question: What type is used to record the level cap? Because if its a signed char then indeed 127 is the absolute maximum...
However even a signed short allows for EXCESSIVE amount of additional levels.

Now looking at the source(superficially that is) and assuming it is correct, I believe the absolute maximum level cap is at least 255, seeing as how he defines all relevant data as unsigned chars.

 

Level is a stat, all stats are stored as dwords. There's a table in the engine, that sets min and max caps for stats, and it also uses dwords. However, there are extra checks for level, and they all use signed bytes. Thus, you can't go higher than 127.