by Rynn Fri Mar 08, 2013 7:31 pm
At first glance, this looks like a good idea, but it's not because the system would be differently set up otherwise.
In this system, we get 80% of a stats value in the first 50 points, and 20-25% in the last 40 points. This is a PvE decision designed so that players can be strong enough to get through the content. If there was no diminishing returns, the developers would likely keep the same final value for 99 that we have now... but you'd no longer get 80% of the value in those first 40 points, which would either force enemies to have to be weaker (making the game easier) or would force players to be weaker in the PvE portion of the game, which is more important.
Diminishing returns allow FROM to set up a good early game experience while still permitting players the ability to improve their abilities for months on end if so desired. Also, keeping in mind that From likely didn't anticipate us forcing a level 120 (less then 1/7th of all possible levels) cap, they were likely trying to avoid an inevitable situation for a darkwraith, where they lose the battle purely because they were level 100, and the level 300 character was three times stronger due to there not being diminishing returns. The in place system garentee's that while that level 300 character is stronger then the level 100, it's not by an unbeatable margin, and as such skill remains relevant to the PvP metagame.