[Birth option] Unlock starting at higher levels.

[Asmageddon]

I know it's somewhat against the idea behind roguelikes, but it's a serious pain in the ass to get through the very same locations over and over again just to level up so you can take on more powerful ones.

I think that the best solution would be to allow starting at level 5 if you get to level 10, level 9 if you get to 15, 12 if you get to 20 and 14 if you get to 25 or something like this.

Another nice solution is to have separate difficulty settings for amount of enemies, their strength, item drops, starting level(1, 5, 10, 50% of best, etc.) and so on. Of course these would be unlockable. Somehow.

[bricks]

It's been discussed to some extent before. I personally think that the efforts should be towards making the early game more fun, instead of skipping it. More vaults in the western dungeons, less predictable level design, greater variety in level generation, shortening some dungeons in exchange for larger levels. Mid-/mini-bosses would also be a welcome addition.

Really, getting to level 14 or so doesn't take much time at all, IMO, and the very early game can be a compelling challenge in itself (Dwarves, Skeletons/Ghouls, and Yeeks come to mind, plus some of the more complicated/unique classes).

[Aoi]

I actually feel the other way-- I like doing the western continent and just kind of sigh when I finish everything there and have to head over to the east.

As far as level sizes go, I hate oversized levels. I'd much rather have more small floors. The elven crypt, or whatever that place is with the mummy boss is my least favorite zone.

[Asmageddon]

I would like larger, but simpler levels. Like more natural caves, forts with few large rooms and wide hallways, etc. and small rooms(perhaps inside larger levels?) for boss fights.

[Grey]

One way of levelling up fast is to simply skip through levels quickly and get to the boss. They give most of the xp, so you can race through the early game quite quickly if you want. The only problem is with equipment gathering, but that would be an issue with the original suggestion anyway.

[Asmageddon]

But I just can't resist exploring everything when I know there might be gems lying around ;_;

[Reverend Bizarre]

This idea may be viable if it was implemented for Arena or ID, but don't touch the main campaign and all other campaigns (when the latter will appear, of course).