I'm playing just past Lovis Tower and heading towards Maxos Temple. I'm level 12 and seem to be a level or two above the monsters, which really reduces the challenge. I think I messed up because most rewards are completely useless so I always choose experience. The only tough fights I've found since "the change" are against Black Ring Seargents and any archer with poison. Viper and his crew were murder before I got all jumpy and blasty on them. I'm a pure mage. I skipped fireball but I might be regretting doing that. It seems like I need an area affect spell. Mage blast is great but I could use a crowd killer skill to save tedium. One thing I've noticed is that without any skills in melee at all, I can go toe-to-toe with anyone my level that's not a boss type.
I'm hoping that they make another expansion before moving on. I'd love to see another low-level expansion where you play somebody NOT saving the world. To me, the quest rewards need to be reworked so that items are as valuable as experience. It's a no brainer to take experience over a measly potion or weapon/item that's not tailored to my build. I also find weapons and armor WAY more often than magic boosting jewelry or charms. I'll reload chests 20 times looking for jewelry or charms
