is there a way to extend the level cap above 12?

[FantasyFreak_UK]

It seems to be one of the weakest parts of the game at the moment.
I've just hit level 12, and probably only half way through Act 3
I get that they don't want you to hit level 20, but based on the content I reckon most people would struggle to even hit 16. So not sure why they limited it?
I have seen at least one level 16 character too?
Also if it's uber powerful spells they don't want, just remove or nerf them, like they have already done with dispel magic, etc.

[seeker1]

Unlock Level Curve.

One of the most popular mods at Nexus.

Grab an XP progression mod while you're there to make full use of it.

Other people will explain to you why they capped things at 12. I get their reasons. I just too choose to blow past it.

You won't get anything above 6th level spells because they don't exist. But you will get higher level spell slots to upcast those spells.

[kbiz]

There is a mod. The level 12 cap is there for various reasons. However, I like to level up my characters as much as you do. If you do everything in the game, you'll level up earlier than others.

[FantasyFreak_UK]

Does using mods affect achievements etc?

[seeker1]

Script Extender can re-enable getting achievements while using mods. (There's another mod that can do this, but it seems ... less safe.)

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by F:

A well build level 12 party can defeat any (honour mode) boss easily. There is little to gain in increasing the level cap

Except, y'know, levels 13-20. I'd say that's a pretty big gain.

[seeker1]

I get the difficulty argument. For a long time, there was no in-game level scaling to match going past the cap, but now there is a Level Scaling mod at Nexus.

... just to note, many of the custom classes and subclasses are using "RAW" stuff that only shows up in levels 13-20, fun little perks & abilities, that kinda stuff, so that's one reason why I use ULC. There's so much stuff to TRY above 12 and this is where I have MY fun. "YMMV".

[EricHVela]

Originally posted by F:

A well build level 12 party can defeat any (honour mode) boss easily. There is little to gain in increasing the level cap

The question isn't about whether they should but how they can if they want.

I won't do it, but let people decide for themselves how they want to play. If they come back and claim it was too easy when they hit 20 after leaving the tutorial, their complaint has no validation, but that's on them. If they hit level 20 after leaving the tutorial and enjoyed the game all the same, that's fine, too.

[northernwater]

I would rather see new game content not involving the party members. More bosses with interesting mechanics, more quests, more lands and buildings to explore, more mechanics.

[seeker1]

If you use ULC without an XP progression mod, you won't hit anything above 17.

If you use the recommended "smoothing" progression mod, you'll hit 20 right towards the end of the game - just like you would 12 normally. Without the scaling mod, are you starting to get "OP" past the CR 12+ mobs towards the end there? Yeah. Fortunately, it now exists.

Now there's stuff to make progression even faster, and sure, you COULD hit 20 right outside the Nautiloid. Personally, I would find that boring as crap, but "it's your game".

[FantasyFreak_UK]

I'll probably play as intended, although I'd have been happier having the exp not wasted so I could hit 16 by game end. I currently have 45k Exp doing nothing, which seems a waste.
I'm sure certain fights would still be a challenge at higher levels, based on what I've seen.
The last two Netherstone fights were balanced for level 12, but the final companion fights seem to be aimed at higher levels.

[Hobocop]

Originally posted by FantasyFreak_UK:

I'll probably play as intended, although I'd have been happier having the exp not wasted so I could hit 16 by game end. I currently have 45k Exp doing nothing, which seems a waste.
I'm sure certain fights would still be a challenge at higher levels, based on what I've seen.
The last two Netherstone fights were balanced for level 12, but the final companion fights seem to be aimed at higher levels.

Dunno about that. Between all the permanent, non-cheesy buffs you can attain (i.e, no camp casting with hirelings), tadpole powers, and the vast amount of gold and powerful consumables you have access to even without doing things to metagame it by long resting to refresh inventories for example, it's basically up to the player how difficult a lot of the sidequests end up being.

[ClearlyHopeless]

Like someone else said it is on Nexus:
https://www.nexusmods.com/baldursgate3/mods/377

It isn't perfect and a lot of classes are missing features for higher levels but for a mod it is pretty good. Really helps act 3 feel more fulfilling. I think I had a level 15 character by the end of my last playthrough

[StarScepter]

It seems that the amount of XP available after reaching L12 is enough to get you to AT LEAST level 14, and maybe L16. That should be enough to defeat the game easily. So I think Larian should do that!