So I basically only have one main character, an altmer mag sorc dps.
I kind of play as a lone wolf but within groups. For example in vet trials if something goes a bit wrong and people start dropping I crit surge, drop a couple of aoes for the self heals and then use empowered ward while I start rezzing people. I like that I don't have to rely on the healer to keep me alive especially when this sort of circumstance arises, a lot of the time it's a close call as well but now I wouldn't even attempt it as the shield is so small it wouldn't last while I'm helping people up.
My other issue as well is the majority of no death vet dungeon run achievements I have are from solo runs as I don't have to bother about other people dying, I know I can keep myself alive bar some of the special cc attacks bosses do which are unbreakable, people say you shouldn't be able to do 4 man content solo but it's not easy in the slightest and extremely slow going to do this stuff.
I always keep a shield up as well which basically means I am losing a dps attack in my rotation every 10 seconds or less if my shield depletes faster which I think is already a sacrifice, the other trade off for a big shield as well is I have to use sets which give me max magicka instead of crit, spell damage etc
So what are peoples thoughts now on alternative setups? because I really am considering canceling my subscription and moving on if I am going to struggle and die a lot in content I have become accustomed to and enjoy playing.