Going alone in the World of Warcraft
When I started playing World of Warcraft I didn't intend to become a soloist (a player who typically works alone). Because of my many other real-life obligations, I could only play short stretches at a time, sometimes logging in long enough to gather materials or check the in-game mail.
After stomping around for some time, I discovered that many other people were soloing. The reasons differ: disdain for groups, lack of time, or enjoying other aspects of the game not condusive to group adventuring.
This lens is not meant to be a guide, altough hints and tips are provided. Instead, it is about the subculture of soloists.
After stomping around for some time, I discovered that many other people were soloing. The reasons differ: disdain for groups, lack of time, or enjoying other aspects of the game not condusive to group adventuring.
This lens is not meant to be a guide, altough hints and tips are provided. Instead, it is about the subculture of soloists.
Amazon
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack
Amazon Price: $36.77 (as of 01/05/2010) 
World of the Warcraft Atlas: Wrath of the Lich King (Brady Games - World of Warcraft)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 01/05/2010)
You don't exist in a vacuum.
I would like to make a point that even soloists don't always play alone. I have joined many ad-hoc groups and helped the occasional new player. I've jumped into trains formed by fleeing players in distress and allowed other people to take turns at mining an ore outcrop.
World of Warcraft is a community and I respect my fellow players, soloists and guild members alike. Lending a hand is actually easy because I tend to be a higher level then people around me.
As a soloist, I understand that social interaction and helping others are important. It's also satisfying to help a group out of trouble with asistance.
World of Warcraft is a community and I respect my fellow players, soloists and guild members alike. Lending a hand is actually easy because I tend to be a higher level then people around me.
As a soloist, I understand that social interaction and helping others are important. It's also satisfying to help a group out of trouble with asistance.
Using all your resources.
You can "hire" yourself a crew.
One lesson that I was slow to learn was I could use my other toons (characters) to help me. The most obvious was to create a banker. Sending one character materials and money located in a centralized location helped save me a lot of shoe leather. I like to place a character in Stormwind right between the auction house and mail box.
Leveling the professions of my other toons also gives me an edge as a soloist. I have a tailor, leather worker, and enchanter ready to boost my equipment. A soloist needs all the help he or she can get!
Leveling the professions of my other toons also gives me an edge as a soloist. I have a tailor, leather worker, and enchanter ready to boost my equipment. A soloist needs all the help he or she can get!
Mmmm... Crab Cakes!
Making the most of your other resources
I wish I had known how important it was to level up fishing and cooking skills from the very beginning. All of those yummy morsels of meat you get from killing beasts can be cooked up on a cozy campfire and provide an endless supply of food. At higher levels, the food even gives short-term buffs.
It takes patience to use the cooking skill, and even more patience to use the fishing skill. I typically fish for the length of time I can use a lure- 10 minutes. Sometimes I find a little treasure, but most of the time I can add to my food larder. Between fishing and cooking skills, a soloist should never have to buy food.
For those mages out there, these skills are still handy. The buffs created by some recipes make foods better than conjured food.
It takes patience to use the cooking skill, and even more patience to use the fishing skill. I typically fish for the length of time I can use a lure- 10 minutes. Sometimes I find a little treasure, but most of the time I can add to my food larder. Between fishing and cooking skills, a soloist should never have to buy food.
For those mages out there, these skills are still handy. The buffs created by some recipes make foods better than conjured food.
Join a Guild to be Left Alone
No, I'm not kidding.
It's a strange thought, but joining a guild can keep people off your back. Next time you're in a major city and someone sends you an unsolicited charter to sign, think about signing it. If they are offering you gold, definitely sign it.
Most guilds don't get off the ground after the charter is signed. If you join a guild and there's a ton of green chat (guild chat), then you can just leave. After a week, though, I bet you'll see little or no guild activity.
One of my primary toons joined a guild with over a dozen members. After just a few months, the toon is the only one left in the guild. No worries about being solicited. Truly, a soloist's guild.
Most guilds don't get off the ground after the charter is signed. If you join a guild and there's a ton of green chat (guild chat), then you can just leave. After a week, though, I bet you'll see little or no guild activity.
One of my primary toons joined a guild with over a dozen members. After just a few months, the toon is the only one left in the guild. No worries about being solicited. Truly, a soloist's guild.
The best soloing class is...
the one you like.
Hunters are generally accepted as the best soloing class. I personally find this to be true. They also come in rather handy when you're in an instance and one of your tanks drops out.
But any class can solo. The best class is the one you enjoy the most. Some classes are damn hard to solo, like the Priest. Difficulty is not an issue if you like playing a lone priest; you have to adapt your game play to maximize your strengths and down play your (many) weaknesses.
I have a Mage that I solo. In order to keep from getting creamed, I have to make sure this toon quests in areas where the mobs are below the toon's level. It's slow going leveling up, but satisfying that I can go it alone.
But any class can solo. The best class is the one you enjoy the most. Some classes are damn hard to solo, like the Priest. Difficulty is not an issue if you like playing a lone priest; you have to adapt your game play to maximize your strengths and down play your (many) weaknesses.
I have a Mage that I solo. In order to keep from getting creamed, I have to make sure this toon quests in areas where the mobs are below the toon's level. It's slow going leveling up, but satisfying that I can go it alone.
Articles of Interest
Articles and posts about soloing in WoW.
- Should a solo player join a guild?
- WoW Forums 09/01/2009 02:26:12 AM PDT I'm just getting started with the game and I'm a bit confused about guilds. I had assumed that guilds were for groups of players who wanted to level up together...
- Best World of Warcraft Classes for Soloing / Solo Play
- Brite Hub, Benjamin Sell, Apr 27, 2009. Sometimes, a World of Warcraft player just wants to go it alone. Get the most out of your solo experience with any one of these four classes.
- New player seeks advice re: solo play, class/race
- Gamespot GameFacts. 8/20/2008. I am a very new p[layer (sic) who is finally getting around to trying out WOW, having never really played ANY MMPORGs before, whether WOW, Ultima Online, or any of the others. Part of my issue is that...
- Let me ask an honest question of Solo Players
- WoW Forums 07/01/2008 06:06:37 PM PDT. Another look into the soloist mind. If there is not enough content for you what keeps you playing?
- Soloing To 70
- WoW Forums 06/30/2008 07:42:20 PM PDT. Im a casual player, I tend not to do any dungeons. I guess I would say im a solo quester. Is it possible to get to 70 without doing any dungeons? and more importantly can I do it alone?
- To the Solo Gamer...
- WoW Forums 05/22/2008 04:16:09 PM PDT. Another look at a post from a soloist. Notice the first response: Massively MULTIPLAYER Online Role Playing Game. Multiplayer doesn't mean solo. You want solo, go play the variety of games that cater to that style.
- The Soloist: Why I do it
- Massively.com. Nov 19th 2007. After this post, I had it in mind to think through why I prefer to solo, and whether the reasons why are valid ones, given that I'm playing in a genre meant to provide a social experience. I'm going to...
- New Expansion: more options for soloists?
- WoW Forums 08/16/2007 12:19:42 PM PDT. An interesting look at attitudes of both soloists and other players: Topic. Wondering if the new expansion will throw a bone at soloists somehow. (To the people about to post what the second M in MMORPG stand for: you're neither clever nor cool.)...
- Solo Play in World of Warcraft (WoW)
- May 10, 2005. Blog with soloist hints: Sometimes you just want to play an MMORPG like World of Warcraft solo, without a party or guild...
- Best Loner Character?
- Unofficial World of Warcraft Fourms 16-02-2005, 04:28 PM. A form thread of interst to soloists. Hi Everyone,I've been playing RPGs for many years starting from the Dungeon Master and Might and Magic Xeen era...
- How to be a Great Soloing World of Warcraft Warrior
- eHow. Simple hints. Many people will tell you that warriors really suck at soloing. While they aren't as good at soloing as other classes, warriors can hold their own...
Why do you solo?
There are many reasons a player may choose to solo. If you're a lone wolf, let us know why. If you don't play solo, which of the following reasons would you most likely consider being a soloist?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Feedback
Leave a message, opinion, hint, or herb formula. I always appreciate feedback.
Comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Please submit once.
submit
-
Reply
- twelfthhouse twelfthhouse May 5, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
- Great lens! My husband and I play together and I made a banker like you did. I started playing her solo when my husband couldn't play. :)
-
Reply
- Sultahn-D Sultahn-D Jan 6, 2009 @ 8:18 am
- Cool, I used to play WoW before I went into Warhammer, two totally different games.
http://www.squidoo.com/warhammer-online-guide-4u
-
Reply
- Capurnicas Capurnicas Nov 12, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
- Awsome page! Totally agree w/ u on it. Sometimes even in a 3-D Rendered MMO world you need a little alone time.
Disclaimers
World of Warcraft, WoW, references, images, and game text © 2008 Blizzard Entertainment. All other graphics and text copyrighted by legal owners. All rights reserved.
by PaxLamprey
Explore related pages
The Ultimate World of Warcraft Speed Leveling Guide- I'm a long time world of warcraft gamer and have been playing the game since it...
Why Warcraft Tycoon is The Best WoW Gold Guide- I've played World of Warcraft for a long time now and I have even reviewed many...
World of Warcraft Gold Tips, How to Be WoW Rich in 30 Days- Oh, no not another webpage on the closely guarded secrets behind World of Warcra...
Zygor Leveling Guide WOTLK Ultimate WoW Leveling Guide- The Zygor Leveling Guide is an in-game wow leveling aid guide that allows player...
world of warcraft strategy guide- Dear Friend, I'm goin to show you the most fantastic world of warcraft strategy...
World Of War Craft: The Best Onlinerpg Ever- World of Warcraft (commonly known as WoW) is a massively multiplayer online role...
