Levellocked

Levellocked refers to a state in video games where a player character's experience level is intentionally capped or restricted, preventing them from gaining further experience points for a period. This is often a deliberate choice made by players, rather than a game-imposed limitation. Players might choose to levellock for various reasons, primarily to enhance the challenge of the game or to maintain a specific difficulty curve.

By remaining at a lower level, players often face tougher enemies and more demanding encounters. This can make progression feel more earned and can lead to a more engaging gameplay experience for those who find the standard progression too easy. Levellocking can also be a way to prolong the lifespan of a game, as it forces players to rely more on skill, strategy, and gear rather than simply out-leveling opponents.

Some games offer mechanics that facilitate or even encourage levellocking, such as experience point disabling options or specific items that prevent experience gain. In other instances, players must manually avoid activities that grant experience, like turning in quests or defeating certain enemies. The practice is most common in role-playing games (RPGs) and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) where character progression is a central element.