I'm hoping someone here can give some solid advice. I played the beta way back in 2014 and then nothing until last week when I bought the game to start playing. So, I'm new, brand new. I'm really struggling with a number of things. The entire goal of everyone in the game seems to be to get to level 50 as past as humanly possible. While I certainly don't want to do every single quest or read through all the story lines, I would like to at least enjoy the journey a little bit. I also don't know how I can be an effective player when I get to lvl 50 if I haven't actually learned how to do things along the way. Healing for example (I play a Warden - currently lvl 16). I never ever have an opportunity to learn how to heal in a group. I'm either expected to already know, or if I join up with people, no one chats. Then they just rush to do everything without talking or anything. Especially dungeons, which I did my first two nights ago. I literally just had to keep running to stay with the group and a few times got turned around and didn't know my way around. Second dungeon last night, the same thing, only this time there was some tank with uber gear who just blasted his way through to the boss, leaving us in his wake with all the angry monsters on the way. We died. He solo'd the boss and we got nothing. This just isn't fun.
My favorite thing about games like this is grouping with others, learning, talking and sharing fun experiences. I feel like everyone is either lvl 50 and doing stuff I can't join, or i have to rush to lvl 50 to join, or doesn't talk. I tried joining a guild that says they teach new players all over their description, but all they talk about is veteran trials, showing off massively powerful gear. When I've asked questions, they either don't answer or say "get to lvl 50 asap and then we can help you."
Other than just solo'ing my way through stuff alone, is there any way to play the game with others, learn and enjoy it ... at a reasonable pace, not slow, but not rushed in a month either.