TSW is the single most solo friendly MMO I've ever played. The only times you will EVER need to group are for...
- Dungeons
- Lairs
- Holiday Event Bosses
- World Bosses
Literally everything else can be solo'd, but if you don't WANT to solo, working together simply makes everything faster. However, there are some missions that must be completed solo... this includes virtually all infiltration missions and most main story missions inside an instance.
The skill system is TSW can be complex... I highly recommend using the starter decks (all can be completed in the first zone) and then working towards one of the elite decks (designed for the Tokyo content). Some of the Faction Decks are okay too, but I generally don't like them. However, all decks are worth completing, if only because you get awesome costume options as a reward for doing it. I personally use a modified
Gun Hexer (Assault Rifle/Blood Magic) for my main, Buddy "Boam" Hops, everyone's favorite Rockabilly Demon. Some basic tips for characters...
- Passive abilities are not limited to their home weapon lines. You want to use Elemental Force with an AR? Lethality with Pistols? Go right ahead.
- All weapons can DPS, but Elemental magic, pistols, and Assault Rifle are generally the best.
- Tank weapons are Hammer, Blades, and Chaos Magic. Shotgun has some good tanking options as well.
- Healing weapons are Blood Magic, Claws, and Assault Rifle. Most Assault Rifle healing is Leech healing, which is FANTASTIC for soloing.
- Try to have a ranged builder if possible, unless you are a tank. (In which case you probably want an AOE builder like Escalation).
- ALWAYS have at least one AOE option, probably as a consumable. You will get swarmed. You WILL need a way to deal with the swarm.
- If soloing, always try to have at least one healing option such as Turn the Tables. You're going to need it.
And yes, the game goes on sale frequently. It's a steal at 15 bucks, which gets you all the content up Issue 5, which includes 99% of Kingsmouth, Egypt, and Transylvania. Additional issues are 5-10 bucks and give you several hours content, as well as ways to unlock new costume items and usually an end-game quality talisman. You'll want to do each issue in order to get the full story. And hey, if you enjoy The Secret World, why not try one of the tie-in games?
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The Park: Remember the amusement park in Savage Coast? Here's a small exploration game about it! Play as a mother looking for her missing son, as she braves the dangers and mysteries of the Atlantic Island Park. Buying this also gives you rewards in TSW: the chipmunk mascot outfit and a strong talisman.
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The Black Watchmen: like augmented reality games, like Majestic? Then this is for you. Each season of TBW obscures the differences between the real world and the game world by presenting the player with puzzles, mysteries, and real world interaction in order to solve conspiracies. You can even sign-up to receive phone calls and packages from the company. I helped solve some of these before it became it's own game... I assure you, you WILL need to work with others to do it.