I'm just wondering if I am a complete anomaly here (which wouldn't surprise me; that seems to be the story of my life):
Once in a while, I'll spend some time cruising the forums, just to see what others have to say or pick up some info on a quest, deed, etc. While reading through the posts, one thing really seems to jump out at me: the number of hard core players who's focus is on raids, end game content, and the best equipment one can get.
I am a solo player and I am also a meanderer. I've been on this game for 2 1/2 years now and just last month finally got a toon into the upper levels of Moria and into Enedwaith for the first time ever. And just last week, I also for the first time ever, finally completed the epic volume book 1. I've never been into Mirkwood, the Great River, Dunland, or Rohan (though I hope to get to them eventually), nor have I ever completed the Great Barrow, The Rift, or any of the instances, and I probably never will because I am a solo player. I'm just not all that focused on getting to the end game content or getting to level cap. I finally created one toon in particular that I've really clicked with, and I will probably get her into Rohan perhaps by the end of this year, but it just isn't really a goal of mine to do that. I like to take my time running through an area--usually on foot, though I have the riding skill and horses available--collect what resources I need, or crafting. I have a toon of every class and in every guild and spend time playing each. I love the character creation process and have a story in my head for each toon I create, though I don't RP--I'm not an actress by any stretch and trying to actually become my character is just too awkward for me :) I'm a narrator type, not an actress.
But reading through these forums is quite intimidating for me, as it seems that the ones who post are those who are hard core and in it for the raids and the ultimate experience. I"m laid back when it comes to gaming, which is also another reason why I solo: my playing style would end up being a draw back in a group, and since I have very little experience in grouping and I'm not the kind of person who does well when there are too many game pieces to keep track of, I know I'd end up being a hindrance in a raid or group fellowship, not a help, and that would end up frustrating my companions and myself which is no fun, so I just don't bother with it. I know that will bar me from a lot of the content of the game, but that's the price I pay; and besides, this game is so huge and there is just so much to do, I don't think I'll miss it that much :)
So I was wondering--are there wanderers out there like me, who just enjoy the scenery, like taking their time, and if so, what parts of the game do you like the best, which areas do you like to meander through the most, how many toons do you have going at once, and do you keep a running story for your toons as well? IN other words: are there any other players out there like me? :)
Once in a while, I'll spend some time cruising the forums, just to see what others have to say or pick up some info on a quest, deed, etc. While reading through the posts, one thing really seems to jump out at me: the number of hard core players who's focus is on raids, end game content, and the best equipment one can get.
I am a solo player and I am also a meanderer. I've been on this game for 2 1/2 years now and just last month finally got a toon into the upper levels of Moria and into Enedwaith for the first time ever. And just last week, I also for the first time ever, finally completed the epic volume book 1. I've never been into Mirkwood, the Great River, Dunland, or Rohan (though I hope to get to them eventually), nor have I ever completed the Great Barrow, The Rift, or any of the instances, and I probably never will because I am a solo player. I'm just not all that focused on getting to the end game content or getting to level cap. I finally created one toon in particular that I've really clicked with, and I will probably get her into Rohan perhaps by the end of this year, but it just isn't really a goal of mine to do that. I like to take my time running through an area--usually on foot, though I have the riding skill and horses available--collect what resources I need, or crafting. I have a toon of every class and in every guild and spend time playing each. I love the character creation process and have a story in my head for each toon I create, though I don't RP--I'm not an actress by any stretch and trying to actually become my character is just too awkward for me :) I'm a narrator type, not an actress.
But reading through these forums is quite intimidating for me, as it seems that the ones who post are those who are hard core and in it for the raids and the ultimate experience. I"m laid back when it comes to gaming, which is also another reason why I solo: my playing style would end up being a draw back in a group, and since I have very little experience in grouping and I'm not the kind of person who does well when there are too many game pieces to keep track of, I know I'd end up being a hindrance in a raid or group fellowship, not a help, and that would end up frustrating my companions and myself which is no fun, so I just don't bother with it. I know that will bar me from a lot of the content of the game, but that's the price I pay; and besides, this game is so huge and there is just so much to do, I don't think I'll miss it that much :)
So I was wondering--are there wanderers out there like me, who just enjoy the scenery, like taking their time, and if so, what parts of the game do you like the best, which areas do you like to meander through the most, how many toons do you have going at once, and do you keep a running story for your toons as well? IN other words: are there any other players out there like me? :)