XP & Power Levels

Players progress their character with two separate, simultaneous stats: XP Level and Power Level.
A balance of both XP Level and Power Level are needed as they serve different purposes. XP Level determines what Skills and Abilities a player has access to, while Power Level determines what Activities and difficulties a player can access as well as their ability to engage in those activities effectively.
Some activities require a certain XP Level or Power Level to participate in which incentivizes players to earn levels to access more of the game, giving a sense of progression and challenge.

XP Level

XP Level is a measure of a player's overall experience and progression in the game. It increases as the player earns Experience Points (XP) through completing Missions, defeating enemies, and other activities.

Power Level

Power Level is a measure of the strength and effectiveness of a player's equipment. Each piece of gear has a Power Level associated with it which is determined by their attributes and perks as well as any modifications or upgrades that have been made. Power Level is the average of all equipped gear.
A higher Power Level means players are better equipped to handle tougher enemies and challenges. This also keeps players from accessing high difficulty content too early without properly leveling up their characters' Power Level.