[Parfex]

My wife and I left LotRO because we looked at our backlog of quests- and realized that just about every one of them was a group quest. Even though we're always grouped together, and the quests were way below our level (so much so that we wouldn't get any experience for doing them, and the quest rewards would be useless to us), we couldn't do them because our group wasn't large enough.

I was hoping that we wouldn't see that here in AoC. I was wrong.

Last night, we decided to clear out some old group quests in Conall's Valley. They were all group quests, but they were all grey and green to us. We figured we'd be able to finally clear them out, and maybe get a few quest rewards that we might be able to use. I'm playing an HoX, so I don't really have much by the way of gear... and one of the quest rewards is a breastplate that, surprisingly, is actually useful for me.

When we got there, we found that the Ymir were grey to us... and they proceeded to kick our butts. Repeatedly. Even though we're eight levels higher than they are. It took a bit of research here on the forums to find that bosses such as those scale to your level. We could take one at a time, but any more than that and we'd die- and the local boss in the area pretty much just laughed at us.

We died multiple times before we decided to see if we could get a larger group together. No luck, even an hour later- nobody would even respond when we advertised that we were looking for a group for those guys.

This is ridiculous. Yes, we can go somewhere else- but as a HoX, I so rarely see anything my character can use, so it hurts to turn down that breastplate. It's also stupid- we work well together, and we're always grouped, but our group isn't big ENOUGH? There aren't enough players looking to resolve those quests, so we're just going to have to abandon them (since we'll NEVER, apparently, be able to duo them).

So, yeah, guess it's time to look for another game. *sigh*

[kr8ztwin]

um i solo and duo all the way to 80. There is no forced grouping whatsoever in this game. When you've done all of the solo quests in connals, move to kopshef or wild lands. There are TONS of solo quests everywhere.

You should really look around before you assume there is forced grouping here. One of the problems with this game is the fact that grouping is not necessary at all and people have trouble finding groups.

[Ithnag]

You can make it to 80 without ever grouping, at all, the game doesn't force you to group, you can completley ignore the group intended instances and missions, same with raids.

Grouping for those open a much wider range of content, yes, but is not necessary

Most people that comment on the topic actually state that there's not enough incentive for grouping, too.

The icons next to the quests tell you if they are group quests or not.

[Mulch]

My son and I did the Ymir quests while they were still colored to us -- Duo + trio, not ever a full group. BS and Guard, so that might make a difference.

You have to pull carefully, can be hard with pvp in your back, but we made it happen.

Anywho, I'm confident that you can easily get to 80 with only duo action. I'm also confident that no breastplate is gonna make a big diff for mid-level.

I think there's a whole bunch of things wrong with AoC, don't get me wrong. But feeling forced to group

[FeldDelduwath]

Yes easy on the sighs Tiger, you can do those quests later if you like, or take the advice of the others posters. I skipped Black Castle and Sanctum because of the issues you spoke about, but you know what? I didnt need to do them in order to level efficiently. So take a deep breath and enjoy the game, no one is forcing you to group with anyone but your wife.

[Evangelist]

Originally Posted by Mulch My son and I did the Ymir quests while they were still colored to us -- Duo + trio, not ever a full group. BS and Guard, so that might make a difference. You have to pull carefully, can be hard with pvp in your back, but we made it happen. Anywho, I'm confident that you can easily get to 80 with only duo action. I'm also confident that no breastplate is gonna make a big diff for mid-level. I think there's a whole bunch of things wrong with AoC, don't get me wrong. But feeling forced to group

Yeah a friend & I duo'd those quests as an Conq & ToS, wasn't easy but they can be done. If you don't have a soldier class strong enough to take the beating its going to be nigh impossible. I tried to duo some group quests as a Demo & Ranger and that was an exercise in futility.

[rkoe7777]

As I have said before they need to make grouping more attractive. Part of the problem you may be running into is that you are grouped with your wife. That means the xp for kills is lowered than if you were working solo.

I understand their logic but it just makes people not want to group at all unless necessary for the quest. That means I may never know that person killing Vanir next to me is a computer programmer in australia. I will miss meeting someone new who may share my love of slapstick comedies and classic rock.

But please give the game a chance they are still changing it and I am glad you game with your wife I think that is great.

[thedrumchannell]

Then don't group dork, no one is forcing you

[pvpcontentplease]

well this is a massively multiplayer online game, so complaining about grouping is stupid.
if you refuse to group with other people than your wife you will miss out on some of the content that other people that arent afraid of grouping, arent asocial or arent playing an mmo for the solo content get to enjoy (choose what category youre in)

youre saying you want to be able to do everything as a duo or single player, but it seems like you dont realize how stupid that is when again this is a game based on multiplayer interaction.

even so this game is highly soloable, and you can certainly duo youre way to 80 without any problems. however, the best gear (which seems to be your biggest complaint) is made harder to get in order to prevent everyone from running around in it.

it sounds like an mmo just isnt for you. i never understand these people that refuse to group, all you have to do is write "LFM or LFG for whatever quest you need" in ooc. its part of the game experience or you wouldnt need to be playing online with people from all over the place.

[bcbudman]

Hmm maybe the op is just a terrible player. I soloed to my lvl cap in LotR easy as pie. You do not have to do all the book quests. Although if you want to yes there are some that require a group. My gawd does anyone remember the days of EQ where you had to group with most toons just to level up. Seems to me there is a new breed of mmo players these days that want things way to easy. Why not just buy yurself a toon off the internet and be done with it.