Why does this MMORPG seem like a soloing game?Follow

http://wow.allakhazam.com/forum.html?forum=21&mid=1103123284215891972&num=7

Also, wait until level 20 or so. My friends are a little further ahead of me (21-25) and they're starting to get to the really good stuff already. You have tons of non-solo activity to look forward to: instanced dungeons, raids, etc etc. But level 14 can be accomplished in a day, so don't expect the really good stuff so quickly. Remember how long it took to get to the dunes in FFXI?

Edited, Wed Dec 15 10:30:41 2004 by gauloises

Yeah, I'd agree it's almost easier for the first 20 levels or so, the quests are pretty straightforward, you can group up for the occasional elite, etc. but I've found these are generally quick pick-up groups, accomplish the kill, then everyone goes their own way.

Once you hit 20, not only does it become more beneficial to group for many of the quests, but becomes a necessity to do any of the Instances.

The first 20 levels are really to figure out how to play your class, get some experience under your belt, and, if you make it to 20, generally you are somewhat adept at it.

**still has nightmares involving the Dunes**

After playing FFXI I tend to play solo often now, simply because I got tired of group necessity. But, I group with my guild often enough whenever we need to do quests involving instances or whenever some of us are in the same area doing quests we help each other out and such. I don't normally group with people I don't know unless we're both standing next to the mob we need to kill for the same quest. =)

But, rest assured if you want to group you will be able to group plenty.


edit: I guess I could add that if you are Horde, then there is an instance in Orgrimmar that is for your level. Ragefire chasm. People do it all the time, always looking for groups in general and /yell.

Edited, Wed Dec 15 13:55:12 2004 by Ikerus

It also can depend on what kind of server you're on. If you're on a PvP server, it's pretty easy to find groups in the contested zones, because it's just too dangerous to go out by yourself. Usually you can just ask if others are doing the quest you're on, and group up.

Certainly WoW allows you to solo a lot more than most other MMOs, but, if you want to group there are plenty of opportunities once you gain a few levels and start venturing further out there.

Here is my take on the whole solo/grouping scenario:

I am a veteran EQ player so this is the point of view from which I speak. In every single game I have played, the beginning 20-40% of your life is spent soloing. This is good because it gets you acclimated with the gameplay and is still relatively early to choose how you wish to specialize.

Once you begin approaching your mid-life, your character becomes defined and your role in the game begins to make sense.

There is no doubt that per kill, soloing gives the MOST experience. In EQ, when you grouped there was an experience bonus that meant even though you were in a group, you got more experience than just an even split. In WOW, if the exp for a kill is 100, each member gets 50 (assuming same level). In EQ, assuming a 10% bonus for a 2-member group, each would get 55 exp. This promotes grouping, while in WOW it is kind of discouraging.

Now I know you're thinking "Well if there are 2 people, we kill faster so even though we split the exp, over time it might be more"... and it might be... I can't say anything definitive to that.

When you create a character, do what most experienced players do... no matter how weak you are in the lower levels, DESIGN YOUR CHARACTER FOR THE ENDGAME... ESPECIALLY IF YOU PLAN ON SOLOING IN THE HIGH LEVELS!! Most people just say "Oh, i'm level 20 and I can't kill anything. My character is so weak... I think i'll improve my [whatever, useless in end-game] spells so I can survive now.

Listen to what I'm telling you. Don't give up hope, and just tell yourself "What will I need when I'm fighting boss mobs and dragons at level 60 while I'm grouped with 30 other people?"

These are the successful people. And hopefully WOW will install some varying experience bonuses for groups of various sizes.

My 2 cents, hope you feel more enlightened!

In other games, this might be the case. In WoW you can train in talents that will help you get to end-game quicker, safer, and easier. At whatever point you see fit to start your end-game training, you can just rebuild your talents from the ground up.

For example, as an aspiring hunter, you can spec mostly in Beastmastery so that your pet companion is a force to be reckoned with. When you feel that you are ready, and are at the point where you have gathered enough talent points to reach those top teir abilities (instead of building skills one at a time), then you can reset your talents and begin fresh.

I really must applaud Blizzard for this. Very, very handy feature.

Ok, so what I'm hearing is that the magic number is "20." That's cool, I'll keep with the Holy tree.

One other question I had is how does the quality of loot found in mini-dungeons and drops in the "world" at large compare to those you get in the instance dungeons? Is there a lot of things that you will only find in the instance dungeons? Would someone who solo'd the whole game miss out on a lot of good loot?

Matt, I wouldn't necessarily say 20 is a magic number. Just because it's what everyone else is quoting doesn't mean that will be the sudden point of epiphany at which all players just start grouping. What will happen is people start to realize that some things they are better off not doing alone. Some of the earlier instances start to come into play, such as the Stockades and Blackfathom Deeps. It's a gradual transition, but the game becomes more group-heavy, while still being possible to enjoy a solo experience, as you level. At 58 or 59, you'll find there aren't many places to grab solo quests -- there are enough that you can do it, but you will have mostly elite instance-based quests at that point.

To answer your other question, there are three kinds of items that can drop (that are equipment of any value.) The first is the random generated greens that you see all the time. Sharpened pencil of the hamster. The second is specific named items that have specific stats, but are still general items and usually green early on. These are often called world drops. The third time are the monster-specific items that come from instances, and these are usually the best. They're also bind on pick-up. The first two categories have an elevated drop rate in instances, but you can still find them outside, however, you will never get, say, Cookie's Tenderizer from anywhere other than Mister Smite in the Deadmines. If you want to miss out on those few items, you probably won't miss out on much for the first 40 levels of your gaming existence. It all gets replaced in two days anyhow. Once you have the option to go to the later instances, starting with the Temple, that's where there's a shift and these blue items start to really matter.

It is not that 20th level is the level that you stop soloing. It seems to be the level most appropriate to really begin doing instanced dungeons, which will require a group.

Keep in mind, you do not HAVE to do the instanced dungeons...you can continue to solo quest. But you will be missing out on some of the most fun you will have in the game...not to mention some pretty cool loot.

So, for those worried about solo, I think you can probably solo to very high levels in this game without trouble. You will miss some mobs and quests. And...if you do not group early you will not learn what is required of your class and other classes in a group and that will hurt you later on if you decide that you do want to tangle with some big mobs. (And I will add here that even if you were great at grouping in EQ and I am assuming FFXI, you still need to learn grouping and class ability in WoW)

Pffft..what priest needs a buddy, not I ^_-.

*mind controls SeOmusa to be his pet*