Calculating EXP needed for NEXT level?

[richfiles]

I'm trying to make an estimate of how much time I'm going to invest in a Level 99 game. I used a spread sheet to do a rough calculation. I started a new game and got the start calculated, and my numbers come close later on, but definitely diverge toward the low end (my total EXP earned is 32600 exp low at level 46 (but if I look passed and compare my actual level 46 to my calculated level 49, it's only 130 EXP off). My calculation is obviously short, and will only get worse the deeper into the game I calculate.

At least at the beginning it works.

INCREASE = next LEVEL x 10
NEXT_EXP = last NEXT_EXP + last INCREASE
TOTAL_EXP = last TOTAL_EXP + last NEXT_EXP

LEVEL	TOTAL_EXP	NEXT_EXP	INCREASE
1	0	20	20
2	20	40	30
3	60	70	40
4	130	110	??

All I got to was Level 4 on the experimental restart, then I returned to my real leveling, back at LV 45.

I don't know what crucial component I'm missing. I did notice that a pen and paper log of Robo (don't ask me why I started looking at Robo instead of Crono) shows that at level 42, the INCREASE was 450 and at level 43, the INCREASE was 460. This is interesting, as this matches my very near numerical match to the Level 49 data to my actual Level 46 Crono stat. The INCREASE value in the higher numbers appears to be offset by 3 Levels worth of increment, just like the numbers match more closely 3 levels off in the calculation.

I don't know when the formula fails, cause at least early on, it does work, but by level 46, it's off big time (32600 total exp low from my actual game stats). I also don't know if the formula is identical between different members of your party, or if each member has a unique method to calculate the exp required to reach the NEXT level. Does anyone know the actual total experience each character must build before they reach Level 99?

I have NO idea where the numbers deviate, and after 41:50 playing, I don't feel like logging the whole thing from scratch. I'm currently in the Hunting Range in 65000000 BC (the first visit, when you loose the gate key). I havn't even tried to retrieve the key, and have decided as a bare minimum to not move on till my lowest character is level 50 (Crono 46, Lucca 41, Others between). That puts me at the mid level fairly early on I would say. I may try to go for level 60 or even higher here, but I don't yet have Frog.

Yes, I am patient, but not patient enough to restart just to write down some numbers.

One more question. If you save your Capsules (formerly TABS), will they be useless once a character naturally maxes their various stats, or do capsules go "one more" passed the natural stat max. If I save them, then they obviously would show the greatest jumps later, when more experience is required to increase stats naturally, but if I'm going for level 99, is there a real need to save them, or will saving them ultimately make them worthless to me by the time I max out? I do have a guide that shows when the individual stats max out, so If they will NOT go passed the natural max, I can simply time their use to pad my stats right before they naturally max. Or I could just blow them like candy! 

So... Does anyone know the true method of how NEXT experience is calculated as you progress from level to level?

Also, would anyone know the grand total experience required by each character for them to hit Level 99?

Thanks
Richfiles

[Belaith]

You lost me with the math. What I do know is, once your stats are maxed out it'll give you an error noise when you try to use a tab. BUT you are able to equip your character with stat enhancing equipment. I am not certain as to whether it does anything for you or not but it can be done.

[Vehek]

http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/snes/file/563538/14837

I don't think there's a formula. The game apparently just reads from a table to find the "Exp to next level".

[richfiles]

That's exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

I should see if there are any patterns to the numbers. Early on there were, but that might have been just coincidence. The odd values are indeed explained by the level limits placed on those outside the main party. Still, I find it odd that with limited cartridge space, and how almost every other stat has a mathematical driving force behind it, that experience to next level would be table based. Very interesting.

I calculate I only have to battle every creature in the Hunting range (including the 3 Nus, provided they all show), only about 900-1000 more times to reach 99 for my primary party. Yay.

[4th Triforce piece]

That's not bad at all.  A little grinidng but it can be done.