How to Level Up Fast in RPGs

How to Level Up Fast in RPGs: Tips I Wish I’d Known Sooner

I’ve spent countless hours grinding through RPGs, trying to level up my characters as fast as possible. And let me tell you, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Early on, I was just running around aimlessly, killing monsters, doing quests, and hoping it all worked out. But after years of trial and error, I’ve figured out a few strategies that can save you a lot of time and frustration. In this post, I’m sharing everything I wish I knew when I started leveling up in RPGs, along with some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way. Trust me, these will make your grind way more efficient.

1. Focus on High XP Yield Areas

This seems obvious, but it’s easy to get sidetracked in an RPG. When I first started playing, I’d get caught up in exploring every nook and cranny, talking to NPCs, and wandering into random side quests that didn’t give me much XP. It wasn’t until later that I realized I should be focusing on areas with the highest XP yield.

Pro Tip: Find areas where enemies respawn quickly or where you can chain kills without too much downtime. A lot of RPGs have “XP hotspots” – places that are loaded with enemies, dungeons, or areas with quests that reward you with huge XP boosts.

For example, in The Witcher 3, I discovered that certain monster nests or bandit camps give out much more XP per kill than regular monsters. In Skyrim, I made sure to find Draugr tombs where there were tons of enemies to farm for fast leveling.

2. Prioritize Main Story Quests Over Side Quests (At Least Early On)

Side quests are tempting, right? They often feel like free XP, and sometimes they come with sweet rewards. But in my experience, focusing too heavily on side quests at the beginning can slow down your progress. The main story quests usually give you more XP, and they’re often quicker to complete.

Don’t get me wrong—side quests can be fun, and they usually offer cool loot. But if you’re in a rush to level up fast, stick to the main quests that push the narrative forward. I made the mistake of spending hours chasing every side quest in Dragon Age: Inquisition, only to find that the XP I was earning didn’t move me along nearly as fast as the main storyline would have.

3. Master Combat Mechanics Early

I can’t tell you how many times I wasted time dying or getting stuck on certain bosses because I hadn’t really taken the time to learn the combat system. RPGs often have deep combat mechanics, and if you don’t know how to effectively use your skills, spells, and abilities, you’re just going to slow yourself down.

Pro Tip: Take the time to read up on your character’s abilities or combat styles. Don’t skip the tutorials, even if they feel unnecessary. They can give you a solid foundation that’ll pay off big time. This includes knowing when to use buffs, debuffs, or healing potions.

In Dark Souls, for instance, I learned the hard way that being reckless with combat was a surefire way to slow down my progress. Eventually, I figured out how to time my attacks and parry enemy blows, which helped me rack up XP a lot faster.

4. Use XP Boosts and Buffs Wisely

Some RPGs give you the option to use items, potions, or even buffs that increase your XP gain. Don’t just use these willy-nilly. There are better times to use them than others.

In games like Final Fantasy XV, there are special “Boost” items that can double your XP for a short time. These are extremely useful during grinding sessions or before taking on a major boss. In The Elder Scrolls Online, you can also join guilds or factions that offer XP bonuses if you’re a member, so keep an eye out for those.

Pro Tip: Plan your XP boosts around the most rewarding activities. Don’t waste them on areas with low XP yield—save them for times when you’re tackling a tough quest or large group of enemies.

5. Don’t Ignore Crafting and Equipment

I can’t tell you how much time I wasted using low-level gear just because I didn’t want to spend the time crafting or upgrading it. But here’s the thing: better gear means better combat efficiency, which leads to faster XP gains. If you can craft stronger weapons, armor, or potions, you’ll be able to tackle tougher enemies and complete quests more quickly.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to use your crafting skills! In Minecraft or The Witcher 3, upgrading your gear can make a huge difference in how quickly you can dispatch enemies and take on harder challenges. Take the time to gather resources, craft new items, and keep your gear up-to-date.

6. Make Sure to Optimize Your Character Builds

This is one of the biggest mistakes I’ve made in RPGs. I used to pick random abilities or skills for my character just because they sounded cool. But the problem is, you often need to have a specific build to really maximize your XP gain and combat efficiency.

For example, in Path of Exile, certain skill trees are much more powerful than others. If you’re focusing on increasing your attack speed or defense, make sure that your character’s build aligns with your goals. Going for a haphazard build might make the game more fun in the moment, but it’ll slow you down in the long run.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to Google or watch YouTube guides on effective builds. It’s not cheating, it’s smart. Optimize your stats for the role you want to play.

7. Grind Smart, Not Hard

Okay, grinding can be fun for a while, but it’s super easy to burn out. I’ve done it. I once spent hours on end farming the same set of enemies in World of Warcraft only to realize that I was wasting time. You need to grind, but you have to do it in a way that’s efficient.

Try to find areas where you can farm multiple enemies at once, or look for “farming loops” in open-world games. Sometimes, the best way to level up quickly is to learn how to grind in a way that doesn’t feel like a slog.

Here’s a Quick Table on Common XP Boost Methods:

8. Don’t Forget About Fast Travel

This one sounds basic, but it wasn’t until my 50th hour in Skyrim that I realized how much time I was wasting walking from one place to another. Use fast travel to get to quests, dungeons, and areas where you know you can grind XP.

Some RPGs have more limited fast travel options (looking at you, The Witcher 3), but it’s still important to take advantage of whatever is available. It cuts down on downtime and helps you get back into the action quickly.

Conclusion: Leveling Up Isn’t Just About the Grind

At the end of the day, leveling up fast in RPGs isn’t just about brute-forcing your way through the game. It’s about using your time efficiently, making smart decisions, and optimizing your character’s skills, gear, and strategy. Avoid the common rookie mistakes I made, and you’ll level up faster than you can say “XP farm.”

Remember, it’s not just about hitting max level—it’s about enjoying the journey and learning how to outsmart the system. Good luck out there, and don’t forget to have fun!