I think super high combat levels will cause long-term problems

I’ve been thinking about the upcoming combat changes, and while I believe they’re a step in the right direction, I feel the Fen Research team should reconsider certain aspects to keep the game balanced and sustainable—especially in the long run. The biggest concern for me is how combat levels will keep increasing. Specifically by 500 per episode. If this game is meant to last for years, I really don’t see how this kind of scaling won’t become a serious issue down the road. And honestly, the longer this system stays in place, the harder it will be to fix.

If combat levels keep scaling, it will soon reach something like 3000, making the system overwhelming for new players. This could cause them to quit before even starting, while existing players may struggle to keep up.

Every level would also become less meaningful. Take RuneScape as an example, reaching level 85 Magic out of 99 levels is a milestone worth celebrating. But reaching level 85 Combat out of 4000 feels trivial. Even reaching level 1850, progression would feel hollow. Over time, we risk making levels feel arbitrary and unrewarding. It could also risk making PvP brackets too broad, which is a serious concern given the current player base of just 500-1000 and declining.

I also believe having 2000 combat levels for a single profession is a massive leap from the current 500, which already feels grindy for many players. Some argue that whether it’s 2000 or 500 split across four episodes doesn’t matter since the total XP remains the same, but I disagree.

Before the update, a player reaching level 500 in a combat profession unlocks the best possible stats, gear, and weapons, providing a clear sense of accomplishment and completion.

Now, imagine that same player at level 500 in combat with best-in-slot gear (500 everything). After the update, their once top-tier equipment will be just 500 out of 2000, drastically downgraded—from the best gear in the game to below mid-level gear. The total XP may be the same, but the value of progression is not. What now marks the pinnacle of power at level 500 will soon be just a fraction of the journey.

This post isn’t meant to discourage the developers from making necessary changes. Rather, I hope to encourage them to take a step back and carefully evaluate every option and its long-term impact.