I just bought this game (and quit BG series once and for all... for now).

Since I'm not used to 3rd ed rule and sub races, I have a feelign that I might spend time on this forum for a while.

Just one thing for now though...what does it mean by... "The character level is considered 2 higher when the experience for advancing levels is determined."?

It means the character (known around here as ECL's) needs a lot more experience to advance. For instance, a 1st level character is considered to be 3rd level (2 levels higher), so has to gather in enough exp to be 4th level, at which point, he becomes 2nd level.

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Or you can use this formula

XP=500[n²-n+E(E+2n-1)]

where
XP=experience needed to reach level n
E=ECL. This is usually 0 but is 1 for tiefling and aasimar, 2 for drow... etc

Hope this helps