# Please reduce the amount of new character grinding in time for the new class

**URL:** <https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [July 25, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415 "2026-07-25T13:03:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Forblaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Forblaze](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Forblaze)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 1:03pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/1 "2026-07-25T13:03:08Z")

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So I recently came back to the game after a multiple year break, which meant I had three brand new classes to level from 1 to 30. Frankly, it sucked. I already know how to play the game and the low difficulties are extremely boring and it takes way too long to slog through. While many classes have nuance to learn, that nuance just doesn’t really matter in your climb to 30. Even when it does, the ability to slide, dodge, and push to protect yourself from getting hit is Darktide’s most important skill and is universal between the characters.

Obviously we don’t want to just cut out the leveling process entirely and hand new players a level 30 character, so my solution is simple: Every level 30 character you have gives you an additive 1x XP multiplier. If you’re on your second character, you get 2x XP. If you’re on your third character, you get 3x, and so on. This should dramatically increase the speed that experienced players get to 30. I suppose you can lower this if it’s deemed too extreme, but I think it’s appropriate.

Now, maybe we don’t want to flood the high difficulties with untested babes, so there’s one more piece to this. Playing a difficulty X number of times is a pretty poor way to gauge someone’s readiness for the higher difficulties. Darktide isn’t the most intuitive game to learn, and just because your team can scrape you off the floor enough times to get through the mission doesn’t mean you’re ready to move up. So my next solution is change the to gate moving on the next difficulty with a simple “Complete the previous difficulty without ever going down” penance. Not foolproof, of course, but nothing will be. This will allow players to climb the difficulties at a more appropriate rate and not arbitrarily lock the higher difficulties to grinding.

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**Author:** ![Namazu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/namazu/32/25928_2.png) [@Namazu](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Namazu)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/2 "2026-07-25T14:47:50Z")

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I dunno, it really doesn’t take long to level up.

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**Author:** ![Forblaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Forblaze](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Forblaze)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/3 "2026-07-25T15:54:52Z")

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It takes me 2-3 days per character, which is a lot for a “actually get to play the game” tax.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/4 "2026-07-25T17:12:18Z")

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> [@Namazu](#):
>
> I dunno, it really doesn’t take long to level up.

what? It takes at least 15 hours to level up a character. Most of us only have about 3-4 hours of gaming time a day. That’s taking at least 5 days to level up.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/5 "2026-07-25T17:13:10Z")

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> [@Forblaze](#):
>
> Every level 30 character you have gives you an additive 1x XP multiplier. If you’re on your second character, you get 2x XP. If you’re on your third character, you get 3x, and so on.

That’s genius. This should definitely be implemented. To go from level 1 to 30 within a couple hours would be great.

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**Author:** ![silentbob515](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@silentbob515](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/silentbob515)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/6 "2026-07-25T18:16:47Z")

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> [@HotRod](#):
>
> That’s genius

A system where two people do the same thing and one of them gets a several times higher reward for it **is about as genius as all the things that aint genius at all!**

A better solution (that doesn’t effectively introduce Pay2Levelfaster) would a be a global XP multiplier for characters between level 1-29 that would be removed after reaching level 30, with average gear level serving as a gatekeeper for higher difficulties like Damnation and Auric!

That way everyone gets the same reward and players with accumulated resources from previous characters would be able to just unlock their way to “_real gameplay_” faster and without any further hustle.

It would also help avoid early Auric tourism!

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**Author:** ![Frish](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/frish/32/70212_2.png) [@Frish](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Frish)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/7 "2026-07-25T19:35:59Z")

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Imo it takes too long to level up and the quality of matches is low during the process. And even if I could sit down and grind it in a day, it wouldn’t be enjoyable. So I really think there’s room for improvement here.

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**Author:** ![Index](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/index/32/95844_2.png) [@Index](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Index)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/8 "2026-07-25T19:56:18Z")

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> [@HotRod](#):
>
> takes at least 15 hours

?? thats coffee breaks included ??

skit was at 30 in around 4 1/2 hours in a relaxed duo and +xp curios.  
ironically you get through much faster if you dont have the company in low levels of those that play there permanently.

12-14 matches, 15-23ish (the odd clutch excluded) minutes.

granted thats 4 1/2 hours i could have spent in maelstrom and above but for whatever reason fatshark wants us to go through kindergarten in a groundhog day fashion 🤷‍♂️

> [@Frish](#):
>
> the quality of matches

well for what its worth i have the good fortune of a buddy, as duo its a trash talking afternoon (and a half depending on the bladder stamina 😄 )  
i wouldn’t play malice etc with malice-peeps if i was paid for it 😂

so yeah, one other dude who’s reliable and a new char is leveled in a bearable fashion 👍

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**Author:** ![JanZamoysky](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/janzamoysky/32/87926_2.png) [@JanZamoysky](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/JanZamoysky)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/9 "2026-07-25T20:52:27Z")

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> [@Namazu](#):
>
> I dunno, it really doesn’t take long to level up.

Keep in mind that people value their free time differently.

I find the level up tedious, boring and pointless. For me and many other people it is nothing, but “time tax”, before we can start playing the game modes / difficulties we play regularly.

An OPTION to level boost would be appreciated. This would also mean less disruptive game experience for any new players who happen to end up in a game with some vets. We had some complaints recently about players who push forward at a pace, new players are not accustomed to. Let new players experience the game, and explore levels outside speed run levelling lobbies.

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**Author:** ![Kalverra](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/kalverra/32/67308_2.png) [@Kalverra](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Kalverra)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/10 "2026-07-25T21:36:18Z")

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I do believe the leveling speed is appropriate, since you do only need to level a single character for the class and get all different playstyles of it, being able to switch freely between weapon sets and talent specializations with a click of a button.

Leveling the new classes should be to get accustomed to the new weapons and mechanics they come with - And even veterans should take the opportunity on that while leveling mastery on their weapons.

You can always put on +XP% curios and get a faster result on this.

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**Author:** ![Namazu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/namazu/32/25928_2.png) [@Namazu](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Namazu)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/11 "2026-07-25T22:02:56Z")

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How the hell are you taking 15+ hours to level a character?

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**Author:** ![Forblaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Forblaze](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Forblaze)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/12 "2026-07-25T23:20:20Z")

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You could do this even if the leveling speed was 4x what it is now. Curio slots also need to be unlocked, so you can’t even get the measly +30% possible when you need it most.

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**Author:** ![Kalverra](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/kalverra/32/67308_2.png) [@Kalverra](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Kalverra)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:24pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/13 "2026-07-25T23:24:50Z")

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You need to level mastery either way, so might as well start from the bottom along with your class.

Also, there’s a need to fill up the lower difficulties, and that’s by doing exactly this kind of thing.

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**Author:** ![Forblaze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Forblaze](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Forblaze)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:28pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/14 "2026-07-25T23:28:02Z")

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Filling lower difficulties by forcing in experienced players trying to get through it as fast as possible seems like the absolute worst way to go about that.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/15 "2026-07-25T23:33:47Z")

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> [@silentbob515](#):
>
> A system where two people do the same thing and one of them gets a several times higher reward for it **is about as genius as all the things that aint genius at all!**

I don’t think you quite understand this concept.

1 person who has only 1 character has minimal experience in the game. Probably not even 20 hours.

A person who has 5+ characters like most of us day ones, has thousands of hours of experience.

> [@silentbob515](#):
>
> (that doesn’t effectively introduce Pay2Levelfaster)

This has nothing to do with “paying” to level faster. You either have hours upon hours of experience in this game, or you don’t.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:36pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/16 "2026-07-25T23:36:26Z")

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> [@Namazu](#):
>
> How the hell are you taking 15+ hours to level a character?

level 1-10 should only take about 2-3 hours. 10-20 is about 5. 20-30 is 5+

Each match takes about 20-30 minutes, increasing with difficulty.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:37pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/17 "2026-07-25T23:37:52Z")

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> [@Forblaze](#):
>
> Curio slots also need to be unlocked, so you can’t even get the measly +30% possible when you need it most.

Exactly this. You can only get the full 30% xp boost when you hit rank 25. Its so stupid.

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**Author:** ![Kalverra](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/kalverra/32/67308_2.png) [@Kalverra](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Kalverra)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:38pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/18 "2026-07-25T23:38:03Z")

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> [@Forblaze](#):
>
> Filling lower difficulties by forcing in experienced players trying to get through it as fast as possible seems like the absolute worst way to go about that.

That’s how it works here. And is likely part of their design of keeping you busy in the game.

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**Author:** ![HotRod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8e7dd6/32.png) [@HotRod](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HotRod)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/19 "2026-07-25T23:42:00Z")

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> [@Index](#):
>
> skit was at 30 in around 4 1/2 hours in a relaxed duo and +xp curios.

There’s your answer. You had a duo.

I play solo because most people I know don’t even own a gaming PC. So I’m always stuck with the absolutely new players and have to carry once I get to heresy and Damnation. If I died, the game was over= lots of lost time.

Thankfully this only occurred during my last DLC class as Hive Scum (I had zero interest in Skitarii)

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**Author:** ![Ensrick](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/ensrick/32/31433_2.png) [@Ensrick](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Ensrick)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/please-reduce-the-amount-of-new-character-grinding-in-time-for-the-new-class/124415/20 "2026-07-26T00:04:59Z")

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I enjoy the leveling process, but if you’ve already done it, there should be an option to opt out and just start the new character at max level.

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