Greetings All.

I would like to discuss the level cap in FO:NV.
I knew there was such a thing, but lvl 30... I was a bit surprised!
(My Courier, polished off a few Ghouls, with his, stock .308 Hunting Rifle, administering a single shot to each scabby cranium, during a wandering walkabout, West of Primm. I didn't notice that there was no XP gauge pop-up... Then, further along the trail, my Courier, dashed a 'Willy Pete' grenade at a Giant Radscorpion, engulfing it in flames, followed up by a few 308's, slaying the beast. To my dismay, I noticed the absent read out displaying the XP gained for such a feat. Immediately I considered it to be a bug, I proceeded in an attempt to reload a previous save, although then decided to check my XP bar on the Pip-Boy screen... I was mortified to see the three letter word, "MAX".)

In a moment of shock, The Courier, stood and I stared out across The Mojave Desert... my eyes glazed over and my heart whimpered. The realisation dawned on me, just how much I relied on the XP pop-up for entertainment, my jollies, if you will. Once it had gone, I felt how much pain, suffering, carnage and murder, The Courier, had committed in some circumstances, just to give me my XP 'fix'....
For whatever reason, I fell into the trap of, The Arcade Junky. I usually don't fall for XP pop-ups, but FO, got me good and proper...
XP became a significant factor in my motivation to venture out into the hostile, Mojave Wasteland. 200 hours was the RL game time I have invested into my Courier, to reach lvl 30 (Idk if that's avg/or what?).
I would estimate, 50% of my XP came from; Adventuring/Hunting&Combat, the other 50% from Quests.
(I had purposely left the MQ, in a dormant state just before, The Battle for Hoover Dam. It is my preferred style to RP (RPG) titles such as FO:NV, without affecting the 'World' (too much), whilst meanwhile, gathering the XP/Perks/Caps/Good Karma/Companions/Weapons&Armour. Hopefully, with as little impact on 'society' and infrastructure as possible. I enjoy living in 'That World', not so much as a hero or villain, but much like NPCs do. - "When in Rome"... philosophy, accept with my own stellar twist and style.)

I mulled over the situation of no more XP in my head. I have come to the realisation, recognising and also decided that, XP shouldn't be a great motivational factor to spur on adventure. CAPS!!! - should have been and should be and will be my Couriers', raison d'etre.
I intend to set new goals for My Courier, such as; becoming and remaining a (multi?)Millionaire..., owning hundreds/thousands of Weapon Repair Kits, a full arsenal of Guns (no EW. Eww/unless they are 'Ronnies'), all in tip-top condition and maintained to the highest quality standards, a complete wardrobe of suitable garments, accessories and armoured attire for any and all occassions, etc...(???)
Predominantly aspects that require money (Caps/Coins&Cloth).
I can imagine a few alternative challenges, off the top of my head to focus my mind on, such as; PA Training and finding a new home.
(My Courier, is currently a NOVAC resident, I have found it to be a great central base location to conduct my operations from. I feel the time has come for me to settle down a little bit and find another place to occupy and protect, spending my days in safe harmony with The Mojave (..richly).


Please post suggestions for goals, or fun techniques for earning legal tender in, The Mojave. Anything conceivable to shift focus off of XP...


Thank you.
-- Joyrider


(P.S. I am fully aware of the additional 5+5+5+5 (20) levels available through acquisition of the DLC packages.
The point to this thread is to find other motivation than XP and to discuss possibilities.)

Download the DLC's, each give +5 level cap.

Or, stop caring about experience points and pointless killing/exploration and turn your focus towards quests.
Not questing for rewards, but questing for storylines, for dialogue, for NPC interactiong.

That's what I do, I do a certain number of exp hunting then I just do quests and talk to characters.
New Vegas' highlight isn't exactly exploration or killing spree's, so once you get over it and turn your attention towards it's strong suits, quests and characters, you will enjoy it alot more.
Or, yknow, download Dead Money, Honest Hearts, Old World Blues and Lonesome Road.
Though they [censored] up the balance severely.

Now as for something to motivate you:
1. Roleplaying
2. Clearing certain places with limited stuff.
3. Breaking every Casino.

Total level cap is 50 with all the dlc's.

Cheers

Yes, some good ideas. Thank you.

Achieving maximum financial gains while using Equipment efficiently, at the lowest possible cost, will be very much along the lines I am thinking... After all, I have the goal of becoming filthy rich, at the same time as having fun and playing fair.
There is a balance to be struck. Polishing off Bloatflies (botflies as I call them) with my BB Gun isn't going to cut it, as much fun as that is.. A 'Bloatfly Slider' business isn't going to make me rich.
On the scale (1 bad - 10 good) :

Fun - (Fn)
Cost - (Cst)
Risk - (Rk)
Reward - (Rw)

The Botfly Bar rates:

Fn - 8
Cst - 8
Rk - 8
Rw - 1

So, as an example (bad), 'The Botfly Bar' business - isn't going to be for me as the rewards are petty.


Which actions and activities may strike the right balance ?

Did you even read the OP ???

The point is not that I want more Levels or XP.

Since when was DLC considered part of the original ?
Am I mistakenly in the DLC section ??

So... Bethesda - intentionally capped it so that people would buy the DLC to continue on their XP binge ..?
Hmm....


So, even with DLC packages you are going to 'Max-out' and hit the level cap fifty .... Then What ???
Restart your 'Cat' ?