Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - General Why is EA capped at level 4 and not 5?

Right now, the following things are true regarding EA:

1. It's capped at level 4
2. There is clearly enough XP in the game as it stands to hit level 5.
3. Most of (if not all of) the highest level enemies you go up against are level 5.
4. A lot of the optional ultra-hard combat encounters - and basically all of the Underdark - is stupid hard for a level 4 character.

Basically, it seems clear that the goal in Act 1 come release is you will hit level 5 when in - or possibly before - the Underdark. While one additional level isn't enough to make these last encounters trivially easy, it's probably better balanced for a higher level. Which raises the question of why the levels are capped at 4. Is it because there are simply some higher-level spells/specials which haven't been finished yet?

More spells and abilities to program. Programming takes time.

Fireball becomes available at 5 and that one spell can make all the current content trivial...

if I had to guess it would be this... they probably dont even have extra attack coded in yet. All the cantrips are supposed to increase in damage, Eldritch blast will gain a multi target feature similar to scorching ray and magic missile. So it is likely just because they dont have all these things ready just yet.

Everyone be begging to get that fireball already.

Level 5 is the first big power boost, due to cantrips getting stronger, extra attacks for certain classes and a lot of new spells (especially the aforementioned and intentionally overturned fireball). There are other spells that might be game changers on level 5: Counterspell (I am very interested how that will be implemented), Dispel Magic, Fly (should keep you afloat for a whole encounter) or even Slow.

Personally I would tie level progression with story (or at least have that option), so encounters won't be trivialized by doing things in an "unexpected" order. Or maybe tying max levels to acts, like max level for act 1 is level 4 to not break the balance too much (extra xp could be banked to be used later). I already find the game way too easy after replaying for the 3rd time (1st time I found it freaking haaaard^^). Just by knowing what to expect and what to look out for makes everything a whole lot easier. Being able to use fireball (freaking 8d6 AoE dmg) or double eldritch blast + hex (potentially 2d10+2d6+2CharModifier every round) or 4 attacks with action surge (4d12+4StrModifier) on top of that would obliterate every challenge so far imho.