We’ve been thinking about revising the pepper levels for quite some time, so well past time to actually pull something together.
For this new pepper level proposal, we took a close look at the intervals between levels, making them more gradual, and not only adding some levels for newish people, but also levels that even the most experienced (Looking at you @Rod-IT) can aspire to.
We’re also proposing a few things that mix things up even more:
- Eliminating the Mace level, which, you know, isn’t really a pepper but rather the brand name of a pepper spray, and is also the biggest slog level to get through (there are still a couple of slog levels, but we put them way higher up this time).
- Adding a peck of real peppers to the chart below Pure Capsaicin to make leveling more frequent (as well as more evenly spaced), which hopefully will maintain a sense of accomplishment.
- Adding some fake peppers above Pure Capsaicin, because people who get to higher levels than that are basically spicier than reality. Plus, at some point you just have to go with the “unobtainium” answer, right? Our top new level is called “Improblano,” and we made sure it is higher than anyone has ever achieved on the site… a million spice points.
It comes out to 42 levels, which is a lot, I know, but it is also the answer to life, the universe, and everything, so maybe it is also the answer here. 
Here’s the proposal:
(If you can’t read the chart or it isn’t clear, just let me know and I can clarify.)
So, please take a look, vote on what you think, and feel free to tell us how you feel about it all in further detail below.
What do you think of the new pepper levels?
- Love them all without reservation
- Pretty good, but I have a suggestion (see comments)
- Eh, it’s okay, but something is wrong (see comments)
- I don’t like it, and this is why (see comments)
- It’s pure awful. Why are you changing things and messing with my head?
24 Spice ups
You left off “Participation Trophy Pepper.”
26 Spice ups
So I have to slog through tabasco twice?
Doesn’t seem right.
12 Spice ups
I mean, that is what Pimiento is already, right? The instant you do anything at all on the site, you get that first level.
13 Spice ups
If you’re currently at Tabasco, you would get moved over probably to Manzano, then later get Tabasco again, yeah… no way around some of the seeming repeats, although your point total would still be going up like normal.
8 Spice ups
Aimero
(Aimero)
6
I don’t want to fall back to Cayenne 
11 Spice ups
Okay, I see what you are all saying about the psychological disturbance of seeming to repeat levels. … So what would help with that? Should we take all the current peppers out (or all the ones that start lower than their current level) and put in replacements to spare people from the psychological trauma of having to do “that level” again?
11 Spice ups
Call me petty, but I am losing my pepper coloring. Waaaaaaa At least I am high enough to not fall down a level.
9 Spice ups
Seems like a pretty common reaction.
9 Spice ups
It’s a great idea, just how to work it so as not to disrupt the masses.
10 Spice ups
ajason
(aJason)
11
I like the additional levels and feel that this has been needed for a while. I understand and would probably feel the same way for those who would end up having to re-attain their current pepper level.
Personally, I have thought that it would be a nice community history to name the one million pepper point level after the user that attains it first. Just my opinion, but I think it would be a cool award to be a legend enough to have a pepper level named after you. Just my .02 on these suggested changes…
12 Spice ups
Just having some fun here, don’t mind me.
15 Spice ups
Stark
(Stark)
13
i like it, even thought id drop down 2 levels, it will make leveling up wayyy easier
11 Spice ups
ajason
(aJason)
14
I’m trying to understand why @Suzanne-Spiceworks would post this and then vote that she has a suggestion to change it. I’m curious what Z’s suggestion is…
9 Spice ups
Is this a late April Fool’s joke? One of those fake news stories that’s posted from time to time?
You take away all the clout that came with PC.
6 Spice ups
mike-eaton
(Mike (Eaton))
16
I like the idea of more pepper levels. Once I’ve hit a new level, I’ve looked at how many points I need to get to the next one and realize I shouldn’t bother checking it for a few years. And now I’d be a Scotch Bonnet with Devil’s Tongue not too far away.
11 Spice ups
I love this idea, but also hate it.
On the love side, it will almost certainly be Rod-IT, and he definitely deserves recognition. Maybe a nice “HotRod-IT” pepper would be a good addition for on beyond improblano.
On the hate side, I imagine what would have happened if that had been the rule in the past, and we would still be stuck with the name of someone who hasn’t been in the community for years.
So, I think we should definitely do something … but maybe not that. Perhaps a custom badge or a statue in the park…
(I’m just joking on the statue though. I looked into trophies recently and custom ones cost way more than I imagined. I can’t even fathom what a giant statue would cost.)
Rest assured that we will find an amazing-as-possible way to celebrate that event though.
15 Spice ups
Not a joke.
I don’t really see it that way, but objection noted.
9 Spice ups
I like it, with one serious suggestion.
In my opinion, assuming the top level is supposed to suggest “improbable”, I think “Improblano” needs to be “Improbablano”
Improblano reminds me too much of problamo and it seems to be suggesting that “it’s not a problem”. (Of course, if suggesting that it’s not a problem is the intent, then my suggestion makes no sense.)
9 Spice ups
Boo, I just hit the “spicy” pepper level recently 
9 Spice ups
