Thoughts on Zwift’s New Level Structure

It’s been less than three weeks since Zwift radically changed their level structure by adding levels 61-100 and implementing a raft of changes related to the new levels.

When I got a preview of Zwift’s changes, my initial thought was “Finally, more levels to chase!” I also liked the idea of Zwift making the steps between each level more even and progressive. But it’s been really interesting to observe the community’s responses to Zwift’s changes, and I thought it might be helpful to discuss that today.

First, Let’s Summarize the Changes

The addition of levels 61 to 100 is the big news, but lots of changes came with those new levels:

1. Level-Up Requirements Reduced: the final levels in the previous scheme (levels 56-60) required 30,000 XP to attain. The highest levels in the new scheme (levels 91-100) only require 11,000! Clearly, Zwift wanted to make it easier to level up.
2. Level Progression Smoothed: the amount of XP needed to level up now increases at a regular rate as you progress from level 1-100.
3. Bonus XP Added: the new Streaks feature awards a healthy shot of bonus XP for your first two rides each week.
4. Bonus Drops Added: riders now receive a 50,000 Drops bonus each time they level up.
5. Changes to Accelerated Leveling: nearly everyone had “extra” XP with Zwift’s new levels. because you were either on a lower level than you should be (since levels now require less XP to attain) and/or you had banked extra XP after hitting the level limit at level 50 or 60. To get riders to their “proper” levels while still giving them the fun of leveling up, Zwift implemented two new methods of accelerated leveling, with some small UI changes attached. Curious how it works? See details under “Accelerated Leveling” here >
6. Endless Level 100: once you reach level 100, you’ll keep filling up your progress bar, earning a Drops bonus each time you earn the 12,000 XP required to finish level 100.
7. 40 Levels of Fresh Prizes: Zwift has always given riders a prize for reaching a new level, so 40 new levels means… 40 new prizes! See the whole list here >
8. Drop Shop Pricing and Unlock Levels Changes: many every frame and wheelset in the Drop Shop was repriced and set to unlock at a different level (see our updated Zwift Shopping Guide).

Next, Let’s Summarize the Responses

With 300+ comments thus far, our post detailing the new levels and related changes became a popular place to share one’s thoughts on the changes. Zwift’s forum post on the changes also proved popular, with 600+ comments thus far.

After reading most of those comments, I would lump them into a several groups:

1. “How does accelerated leveling work? I’m at level X with Y XP, and I don’t understand what the game is saying…” This was probably the most popular comment, and I understand why: Zwift’s new accelerated leveling schemes aren’t easy to wrap one’s head around.
2. “I worked hard to level up, and now these n00bs can do it so much easier, and that makes me angry.” Honestly, this response completely surprised me. But a lot of people felt this way!
3. “New levels are great, but additional changes are needed to make leveling up more attractive.” With no new Drop Shop items unlocked at higher levels and no way to clean out our crowded garages, this feedback isn’t surprising. Many riders voiced the opinion that Zwift has just added a few months of level-up work for some level 60 riders who will cap out soon enough (see #5 below).
4. “I was so close to getting the new bike/wheels I wanted, and now they’re further away.” There was a fair amount of confusion about what frame or wheels to buy after everything was reshuffled – and some anger from Zwifters who felt Zwift had “moved the goalposts.”
5. “I was at level 60, and now I’m finding it too easy to level up.” This feedback came a few days after the big change, but it came nonetheless. Avid Zwifters now find themselves leveling up every day or two thanks to being accelerated via both the “double XP” and “20% discount” methods.
6. “This is a great change. Ride on!” People tend to air their grievances more than their atta-boys, but there were definitely plenty of comments from folks who just said they were happy to have new levels and unlocks to work toward.

Let’s discuss each of these a bit.

#1: Confused by Accelerated Leveling

This is the third time Zwift has added levels and implemented a fresh accelerated leveling scheme along with it. Here are the three schemes they’ve used:

• Levels 26-50 added: 8x accelerated leveling for level 25 riders who had earned extra XP over the level 25 requirement
• Levels 51-60 added: 2x accelerated leveling for level 50 riders who had earned extra XP over the level 50 requirement
• Levels 61-100 added: 2x accelerated leveling for level 50+ riders who already had “extra” XP in their account, plus 20% leveling discounts for just about every rider to a certain level

You don’t have to understand accelerated leveling in order to take advantage of it… just ride, and the leveling happens. But still, many riders want to know how it works. Maybe they don’t trust Zwift to implement it fairly (“Don’t touch my hard-earned XP!”), maybe they’re just trying to figure out what it will take for them to reach higher levels. Regardless, it’s a pretty complex setup to understand, and Zwift’s latest version of accelerated leveling is the most complex yet!

Zwift could help themselves now by doing the same thing they should have done a long time ago: create a level system that doesn’t need to be “upgraded” in the future. Whether that’s a lot more levels (level 1000!) or a “prestige system” (for example, you may have levels 1-100, but once you finish 100 you get a prestige “star” and start at 1 again), the important thing is that Zwifters should always have something they’re working toward in terms of player level.

If you’re still confused by Zwift’s accelerated leveling scheme, and simply must fully understand it, read the “Accelerated Leveling” section on this post.

#2: Annoyed that “Everyone Gets a Trophy”

Some Zwift veterans who earned 750,000+ XP to reach level 60 are angry that level 60 is now attainable by earning just 223,500 XP. Like I said above, I was surprised by how many people (including Zwifters I deeply respect) shared this view! It was a good reminder that my perspective is only my perspective – a good life lesson that Zwift blogging continually teaches me.

Different people are motivated (and demotivated) by different things, and that’s OK.

I’ve tried to get inside the minds of the Zwifters who feel this way, but haven’t succeeded in doing so completely. As I understand it, this may be a concern if you were at a fairly high level, but aren’t planning on riding much on Zwift in the future. In that case, riders might “catch” you or even pass you, having done much less work than you did to get to your level.

If you’re still active on Zwift, you’ll be leveling up just as fast as the newer riders. Maybe even faster (see #5 below)! In this case, the only tiff you may have with Zwift is what happens when I reach level 100, and so do the n00bs. It may be that you still have a lot of extra XP when you hit level 100, while the n00bs earned just enough to get there. Isn’t it unfair that you’re both at the same level?

I suppose it is. And some riders find that very annoying.

#3: This Change Is Good, But More Change Is Needed

Some riders were fine with the changes, but said Zwift needs to make further changes in order to keep the level system motivational. Some of those changes include:

• New Drop Shop items unlocked at higher levels
• A garage cleanup/organization tool so you can get rid of unwanted items, easily swap bikes, etc
• A more motivational plan for what happens once you reach level 100 (eg, prestige system or level 101+)

I completely agree with these points. While I’m personally fine with all the changes Zwift made (even if I think they could have done some of them differently for better outcomes), Zwift could have knocked it out of the park by also releasing new features/items that satisfy these three points.

The good news is, Zwift can still do it. All three of these additional improvements could be implemented, and in fact I know at least one of them is in the works. Here’s hoping all three get rolled out in some form soon.

#4: Miffed By Moving Goalposts

The Canyon Aeroad (with DT Swiss ARC 62 wheels) and Uranium Nuclear. All items moved to higher level unlocks…

When the Drop Shop changes rolled out, I quickly heard from Zwifters who had been looking forward to buying a particular frame or wheelset which was now either 1) unlocked at an even higher level, 2) more expensive, or both. (This included the Canyon Aeroad frame and DT Swiss ARC 62 wheels, which both moved to much higher level unlocks.)

The good news is, when it comes to racing frames, Zwift made a mistake and currently has the Felt AR (one of the four fastest frames in the game) unlocked at level 16. So if you want a fast frame, it’s more attainable than ever… until Zwift changes things.

More good news is that, for most lower-level Zwifters, it’ll take much less work to get up to those super-fast frames and wheels. Yes, the Drop Shop got reshuffled. But in the end, the disc wheels and fast frames will be unlocked sooner.

The bad news is, some of you may have to put in more work for your first set of good race wheels (ZIPP 808 at level 25). There’s just no way around that. Zwift wants faster equipment to generally be at higher levels, so this change was necessary to organize the Drop Shop logically.

#5: Leveling Up Is Too Easy

Two weeks after Zwift rolled out levels 61-100, I’m already hearing from Zwifters at level 75 or higher. While I appreciate Zwift trying to walk the balance of giving high-level Zwifters the fun of leveling up while honoring all the “banked” XP in their account, my personal feeling (and the general sentiment I’m hearing) is that it’s just too easy to level up when you’re getting both the 2x acceleration and 20% discount.

I’m at level 67 and leveling up every day or two with 60 to 90-minute rides. Given that the levels are capped at 100, I’d rather level up every week or two.

#6: All Good, Ride On!

Many Zwifters are perfectly happy with the changes Zwift rolled out. They don’t need to know how the sausage is made (understanding accelerated leveling), they aren’t stressing over which frame or wheels to buy next, and they certainly don’t care if leveling up is now easier for others than it was for them.

Your Thoughts

Personally, I’m about 50% in the #6 “All Good” camp. I resonate with #3 and #5, but overall I’m generally just happy to have more levels for now, and hopeful Zwift will do something to make level ups more interesting before I hit level 100.

But what about you? Which of the six items above do you identify with most? Or perhaps I missed your perspective in the way I lumped groups together? Share your thoughts below!