Yep, it is possible that the level may never reset on reentering the area, if they joined at least once. I will try and test that too.
That is most certainly the case. I routinely hire NPC's, then immediately park them. I re-recruit them much later in the game and they remained at the same level as when I first let them join. I do this sometimes in order to properly manage their proficiency/skills progression.
OK, I've tested it. I can confirm that this is how it works:
1) NPC level is indeed set on entering the area
2) NPC level will not change if you level up while standing in the area where they are
3) if you don't speak with them, or if you speak with them but don't let them join you, and leave the area, the NPC level will be reset on reentering the area. Time is not a factor, you can leave, level up, and reenter right away and the NPC will be updated according to your current level.
4) if you let them join and then park them, they will be locked forever at their current level.
Also there appears to be a minimum level for some NPCs. Viconia for instance started off at 2nd level despite the fact that Charname had less than 500 xp when I talked to her.
Also there appears to be a minimum level for some NPCs. Viconia for instance started off at 2nd level despite the fact that Charname had less than 500 xp when I talked to her.
Yep, each NPC has a given number of CRE files. These vary from a minimum of 1 (e.g. Baeloth) to a maximum of 4 (e.g. Neera). When there is more than one the game choose whichever is more close to the PC level.
The actual level of the PC determines the level of the NPC, not the XP. For instance, if you don't click the button to level up despite having enough XP to do it, you can get NPCs at a lower level.
I just found out that the above statement is only true for the NPCs that were already present in the original version of BG1.
The initial level of the 3 new NPCs (Neera, Rasaad and Dorn) is based on CHARNAME XP instead of his level.
Comments
1) NPC level is indeed set on entering the area
2) NPC level will not change if you level up while standing in the area where they are
3) if you don't speak with them, or if you speak with them but don't let them join you, and leave the area, the NPC level will be reset on reentering the area. Time is not a factor, you can leave, level up, and reenter right away and the NPC will be updated according to your current level.
4) if you let them join and then park them, they will be locked forever at their current level.
The initial level of the 3 new NPCs (Neera, Rasaad and Dorn) is based on CHARNAME XP instead of his level.