A Wardogs player has detailed the significant experience point (XP) grind required to unlock desirable in-game items, revealing that reaching a coveted Medic bag capable of both reviving and healing teammates could take upwards of 13 hours of consistent play. This calculation has ignited discussions within the game's community regarding the balance between rewarding dedicated players and accommodating those with less playtime.
The player, who has accumulated 30 hours in Wardogs and reached Medic level 18, found their progress slowing considerably. Despite improving their in-match performance with new equipment like defibrillators and stronger medkits, ranking up became a much slower process. Upon examining the XP thresholds for advancement, they discovered that reaching the goal of Medic level 24, which unlocks the desired medical bag, requires a total of 337,000 XP. Having already earned 177,619 XP for their current 17 levels, they realized they were only 52% of the way to their objective.
To gauge the practical impact of this grind, an unscientific test was conducted during a 50-minute match. The player focused on revives and healing, also utilizing an SMG and stims for teammates. In this match, they earned 9,995 Medic XP, revived 15 teammates (the second highest in the match), achieved 2 kills, and secured 5 assists. Based on this performance, the player estimated that reaching level 24 would require approximately 16 more matches, translating to about 13 hours of playtime.
This revelation has led to a broader conversation among Wardogs players, with opinions divided on the game's progression system. Some players feel the XP milestones increase too rapidly, especially when considering the game's planned seasonal wipes which reset all progress. Others argue that a substantial grind is necessary to maintain the game's long-term engagement. There's a clear tension between accommodating players with limited time and satisfying the dedication of those who play for hundreds of hours.
The game's developer, Bulkhead, is reportedly aware of the community's feedback regarding the grind. While the company has hinted at future features designed to alter the seasonal progression, no specific changes have been announced. The upcoming Season 2, scheduled to begin on October 15, will introduce another wipe, resetting all players to level 1, underscoring the cyclical nature of the grind in Wardogs. This reset may present a challenge for players hoping to unlock specific gear before the season concludes.