All the /con does is tell you the monster's level in relation to your own, nothing
more. Is a 16th level wizard considerably more dangerous than a 15th, because of
his new spells? YES! And yet if you are 17th, one cons high blue and the other a
low blue.

The range that cons cover and there messages change as you level to cover broader
ranges. At Level 4 for example, black/white is the same level as you, blue is L3
(one level lower), yellow is L5 (one level higher), and red is 2+ levels higher
(L6+). In the mid teens the con messages change, so that blue is within two levels
below you, and yellow two higher. In the mid 20s, the messages gain further range,
yellow is still 2 higher, but blue can be up to 6(?) levels lower. When I
determine whether I want to risk soloing, I very rarely fight anything blue unless
I know the monster well. I stick to the high green con message.

To reiterate, the con message is only an indication of your target's level with
respect to your own, and nothing more. Just remember that because of special
skills and spell circles different races are stronger at certain levels then
others, particularly when it comes to casters.

Oh, and named NPCs are always harder than their con. DVinn, Dorn, and the SK in
west commons (Garrick Dix or something) are all examples that come to mind.

Ariell Thunderwolf, Karana

Bob Stewart wrote:

> >My view is , how the heck do you
> >know where to go and what you can kill ? I go somewhere with a full group and
> >i see something that cons red to me , how do i know if its 2 -3 lvls above me
> >or 20 ? Some people might say attack it and find out , and if it goes bad
> >run.
>
> In fact the /con system is somewhat deceptive and dangerous. Verant's
> assignment of levels and abilities versus effectiveness appears seriously
> inconsistent.
>