This is a fantastic post, and a great concept. If you wouldn't mind, could I ask you to clarify one point?
Obviously, when a higher level character enters a lower level zone, his equipment also decrements alongside his level, so that the difference in power between this newly deleved character and a character that has just entered the zone are kept to a minimum.
But what about a character who has just leveled out of his zone, and is moving to a new one. Does his old equipment level up to match his new power level?
If it does, then really, all equipment will be the same, at least in terms of level (different sets might confer different bonuses, one adding magic power while another might augment strength... but they'll both have the same armor class and other related skills). Therefore, once you find a set of armor that confers the benefits you want, why should you ever upgrade?
However, if old armor doesn't level up with you, then what's the reason to stay in the same zone to collect all the armor sets, if they're not going to net you any benefit once you're out of the zone? Potentially, you could set them up in your house or shop as a decoration... but will players spend so many hours just for decorations for their house? Especially since every other player, given time and desire, will collect the same sets?
Re: Character customization and development in Warhammer
This is a fantastic post, and a great concept. If you wouldn't mind, could I ask you to clarify one point?
Obviously, when a higher level character enters a lower level zone, his equipment also decrements alongside his level, so that the difference in power between this newly deleved character and a character that has just entered the zone are kept to a minimum.
But what about a character who has just leveled out of his zone, and is moving to a new one. Does his old equipment level up to match his new power level?
If it does, then really, all equipment will be the same, at least in terms of level (different sets might confer different bonuses, one adding magic power while another might augment strength... but they'll both have the same armor class and other related skills). Therefore, once you find a set of armor that confers the benefits you want, why should you ever upgrade?
However, if old armor doesn't level up with you, then what's the reason to stay in the same zone to collect all the armor sets, if they're not going to net you any benefit once you're out of the zone? Potentially, you could set them up in your house or shop as a decoration... but will players spend so many hours just for decorations for their house? Especially since every other player, given time and desire, will collect the same sets?