How important are lvls?

[quote=jamosmith]My friends and I were discussing how important levels are in Summoner's Rift. I tried to quantify it and wrote a little article about it here (http://www.jamosmith.com/lol-how-important-are-levels/). I'd like to see what other people think about my assessment. Here is a summary: Levels 1-3: Engaging during this level range is inherently risky and all the theorycrafting can be thrown out since the champion's dynamics are more important than anything else. Levels 4-12: Levels are very important. A two level advantage, which can be earned by taking 2-3 kills in a solo lane, can snowball. I came up with a high estimate of 1200g/level stat equivalent when trying to quantify level advantages. Levels 12-18: During this stage in the game levels are still important but compared to minion kills, gold earned from other methods and group composition/playstyle they are dwarfed. Consider that by the teens most players have accumulated 8,000-14,000 gold; so a 1200g/level stat advantage isn't going to do as much. High levels at this point are more of an indicator of a player's overall strength than anything else. Since level advantages are so important early game, a solo top or mid champion can quickly turn a small XP advantage into several levels (by attking after he hits level 4 or 5 but before his solo opponent levels). I usually try to gank with dash at level 4/5, then if my opponent doesn't make any mistakes I can do it again later and then all I need is one more gank to get a 3/0 record and 2 level advantage. The two level advantage on top lane equates to a 3-4 level advantage compared to bottom lane. Focusing on ganks and XP has allowed me to do some damage with Voli. Am I over estimating the importance of levels or is this about right. Thanks for reading! * oh, I should also note that even if a level advantage is only 1,000 gold/level; that's still the equivalent of about 50 minion kills[/quote]

[quote=Meiyjhe]Yep, levels are important :P[/quote]

[quote=Vynertje]The difference between level 1 and 2 is arguably one of the most important factors in the early game. If you know how to get and abuse it, you can easily get first blood and just snowball from there on.[/quote]

[quote=A Little Laura]Regarding your information on the gold of the stats you gain per level, there was a thread on /r/leagueoflegends with someone who made a spreadsheet of the gold per level. I'm not sure if you've seen it, but [url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArnAs1sbDO2VdHloTDZrNnIxMGZDVFpCcFVoY1JSY0E#gid=3]here[/url] it is.[/quote]

[quote=jamosmith]Little Laura, that's really cool. Thanks for sharing. Perfect.[/quote]

[quote=C4 Lasty]Every champion gets power spikes at particular levels. Just know when you're champion is reaching a spike and call for ganks.[/quote]

[quote=samgoeslol]whenever you hit a level before your opponent (especially on 2,3,6,11) you are WAY stronger. Go ahead and try to kill them or send them back. LEVELS ARE HUUUUGE IN LANE[/quote]

[quote=Absolute.0]Generally yes, sometimes it depends on champion. See above <<-->> It's usually when you hit 2,3 and 6 since you gain the advantage by having 1 more ability to throw out. At lvl 4 and 5 the advantage is there since you gain more damage but it's not as prominent.[/quote]