Leveling up in an MMORPG is a journey that every player experiences differently. Some dive headfirst into the main story, immersing themselves in the world’s lore while earning XP. Others grind through dungeons, battling bosses and collecting loot alongside their party. And then there are those who prefer the thrill of PvP, gaining levels by clashing with fellow players. It all depends on what you want to get out of the leveling experience. But, just like every Friday Fight, in the battle for the best leveling experience, there can be only one winner.
Main Story Quests
For players who crave immersion, story-driven leveling is the way to go. Main story quests introduce you to the game’s world, characters, and overarching conflicts, making your progression feel meaningful. Instead of simply chasing numbers, you’re unraveling a narrative, uncovering lore, and shaping your character’s place in the universe.
Games like Final Fantasy XIV and The Elder Scrolls Online excel in this approach, offering cinematic storytelling and voice-acted dialogue that make leveling an engaging experience. Quests also introduce mechanics gradually, ensuring you learn your class and abilities at a natural pace. Plus, story content is often solo-friendly, making it perfect for those who prefer to adventure at their own speed.
Dungeon Grinding
If efficiency is your goal, dungeons offer a structured and highly rewarding way to level up. Running dungeons with a party provides consistent XP, powerful gear, and a chance to master group content early on. Many MMORPGs offer dungeon-finder tools that allow players to queue up and jump into an instance, making the process smooth and convenient.
Titles like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV encourage dungeon-based leveling by offering bonus XP for daily runs. The fast-paced action and teamwork required make dungeons an exciting alternative to solo questing. Plus, playing in a group means you can power through tough enemies and bosses that would take much longer to defeat alone. If you enjoy cooperative play and structured encounters, dungeons are a fantastic choice.
PvP Leveling
For adrenaline junkies, PvP-based leveling is the most exciting way to progress. Battlegrounds, arenas, and open-world skirmishes provide a dynamic experience where no two fights are the same. Instead of facing predictable AI enemies, you’re pitting your skills against real players, making each victory feel truly earned.
Games like Guild Wars 2 and Albion Online offer substantial XP for participating in PvP, allowing players to level while sharpening their combat prowess. Some MMOs even have PvP-specific rewards that make this method highly appealing for competitive players. If you thrive on unpredictability and want to learn the intricacies of your character’s skills before hitting the level cap, PvP leveling might be the most satisfying path for you.
My Take
I avoid PvP of any type, and I usually only run a dungeon once just to experience them, waiting until the end game dungeon-finder to take them on ad nauseam. That leaves the main story quest as my main path to max level. I always love the stories baked into an MMO, no matter how campy and trope-filled they may be. I take things slow, often out-leveling a zone to get every ounce of lore I can. It’s not the fastest way to reach the level cap, but I’m not in a race, and I feel the slow progression and engrossing storylines give me more value for my money.
