Attention all solo players!!! I have questions....

Recent · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
5. What is your favourite activity?
6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
10. Do you follow build guides?
11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players have social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

pls note: you dont have to answer every question on here. Thanks for any input you care to share 😊

Thank you if you participate in this questionaire. Im very curious and interested to see if most solo players share some common ground. I would say im mostly a solo player myself but i can swing in the other direction where i crave company and group activity and comraderie. I tend to be very extreme probably due to my mental health. I do have social anxiety but can be very sociable at times too.
I sometimes just end up doing writs, farming, housing, questing, fishing, sorting out my hoard of motifs and gear when im feeling quiet then i srart to want to have company and ill join guilds or pug trials and dungeons sometimes join in on world bosses but only if i see other players killing a boss or asking for help.

I can quest, do delves, public dungeons, skyshards, lorebooks etc solo
Ive made many great friends on eso but eventually i cant cope with the social anxiety and i go on my merry way. I don't know how players can be so sociable day in and day out and not burn out. I tried going offline status but it doesnt work for me, im not trying to be difficult. I love rpgmmo games simply because of the activities and i actually cant cope with solo games cos i feel like im alone in the world...its so strange.
I do follow builds but also tweak and try out my own and i like looking at different sets.
The loneliest feeling i get from playing solo is when i dont have someone to share my good news with or if i needvto farm gear from a certain dungeon and could use a group or when i decorate one of my houses and i have noone to come see it 😢. Eventually i join a guild and try to connect with others again....rinse and repeat....story of my eso life.

Thank you for reading i know its a lot

Easily_Lost · May 2020

I am a solo player.
The things I do most of the time is questing. I hope to one day to do every quest, get every Skyshard, and every book.
Right now I am building characters to go into Cyro to get all the skyshards.
I also want to make a bunch of gold.

One of the main reasons that I solo is so I do not have to have the 'meta' build. I don't need to have the best character out there.
I can play when I want to and how I want to.

jm42 · May 2020

1. Questing, crafting writsing
2. +
3. +
4. +
5. crafting for someone on request
6. trading only
7. I'd like to be in a guild but I can't (and don't want) to use discord so I can't get any
9. if I create new character to try it - yes, I read guides to start with something
13. no, because I play games to get some rest from real life social activities

but I'd like to have a guild some day to complete endgame activities
15. endgame act. are closed for you
16. I think you can understand it from previous answers
17. totally yes

StormeReigns · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
A: Overland, solo base game dungeons, leveling up crafting, BGs and Cyrodiil (when it works) work on writs

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
A. Still do enjoy running group content, WBs, Dragons, Vet/HMs

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
A. I'll Pug Dungeons, vet/hm trials, ect always with a guild.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
A. Depends on my mood and if I want to or not.

5. What is your favourite activity?
A. Finding random wayshrine and "Behold, the music of the Khajiit!" play the Esjar.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
A. Yes, and no real complaints or complements - we are like minded and help each other out and do our own things

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
A. As above.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
A. Have my own build. Not meta, but on good days I can pull about 55k dps. Not massively impressive, but still good enough to keep pace while doing mechanics.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
A. My own, made for soloing, but can work in dungeons/trials if I am needed, but will change it up if I am signed up to run with guildies.

10. Do you follow build guides?
A. Used to, until I figured out how to build around my own personal weaknesses and strengths.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
A. Just doing things that I like. Seeing if I can solo DLC WBs and dungeons while puzting about.

https://youtu.be/hBBgzsTN3ZI

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A. Deaf, mostly in ingame chat, on occasion, I'll put in the hearing aid to watch movies and listen to music super loud, Neighbors hate me

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
A. Yep, nope.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
A. I draw. I make my own friends!

But they can come off judgemental or overly worrisome though...

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
A. For me, staying ahead of the physical challenges I suffer through (Essential Tremors, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus)
I may want to game, but when the joints and body say nope, its a cocktail of pills and a nap.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
A. Allows me to play at my own pace, still stay active with kidlets, stayed AFK at a WShrine playing the Esjar for 40+ mins just to play princess zombie makeup with my oldest.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
A. Yes and no. All depends on my mood, how I feel, and if I have time.

MaleAmazon · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Most all. I have a new main that is going to be my last. Right now I am replaying the Murkmire questline, but atm it´s mostly farming to buy items to fill up the nirnhoned research slots.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

Only required ones. World boss solo stomping is great fun and challenging.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

Yeah.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

Not more than necessary, I don´t really like them. But sometimes I want a certain item.

5. What is your favourite activity?

It varies. A good questline is always fun. I´ve had the most fun on discord i trials, but I am not active doing trials now.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

Sometimes, until I get kicked out for inactivity. If I want to trade I kind of have to be in a trade guild, if I want to do trials it really helps to be in a guild. But I don´t really like to socialize online. It´s not... real, so to speak.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

-

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

Yes, but this is hard since really, only the 5p differentiates sets significantly. And they are not very successful. But them being my own kinda weighs up for that. Whenever a skill or trait or something is hated on, I take it as a challenge. So when people said crystal blast was useless, I of course had to create my "crystal artillery" build. Which is actually good. Just I must tweak it a little and upgrade equipment.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

I make my own. I might have taken a peek somewhere to find out how some skills actually work.

10. Do you follow build guides?

No.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Solo world boss, some good quests. But the most fun is probably sub50 PvP, where I´ll go solo fighting. To me the best 2 experiences were: First vMA clear, and becoming emperor solo (just occasional PUG in Cyro). Especially emperor was pretty awesome since I made it a project when I didn´t work for a while; I would play constantly, nightcap etc... then finally one night there were extremely few people online and me solo and a group of others capped the final castle. Some people came to defend it and I was just... no you don´t, no way, die die die. Then suddenly I got the "you have been crowned emperor" message. It was pretty sweet

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

I used to, but quite frankly I don´t want to talk to other people in-game ATM.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

Not really. More annoyed that there is a lot of content I can´t do.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

Step outside. This used to be a bit of a problem for me, but now, once I get bored during a play session, I quit and do something else.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

Facing groups in PvP and well organized teams in BGs (this is not a problem at the moment, of course.) There is only so much you can do 1vX, especially if you play glass cannons like I often do.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

I come from solo TES. I like my RPGs 1st person solo and that´s actually how I started when playing ESO. You just can´t do that when playing PvP though, and I am now used to 3rd person.

To me, TES is about immersing myself in a world and experiencing a story. So I prefer playing solo same as I prefer reading a book solo.

Also, if I am solo there are no people depending on me. I want to quit, I quit.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

To me that´s not the problem. I just don´t like socializing online, it doesn´t compare to a real life connection. In a sense, I don´t even like MMOs! But I do like fantasy RPGs, I like the occasional competitive play, I like to figure out builds etc... so ESO still holds my interest since it has all that.

bmnoble · May 2020

Recent wrote: »

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
5. What is your favourite activity?
6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
10. Do you follow build guides?
11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

pls note: you dont have to answer every question on here. Thanks for any input you care to share 😊

1: Varying amounts of everything aside from trials and group arena's, I am not someone that feels the need to do a large number of daily quests. I do what I want to do when I am playing, sometimes help guild mates or friends, the occasional random stranger I see in trouble in overland etc..

I have bought a number of houses but lack any sort of creativity to decorate them, most have ended up empty or as furniture warehouses.

2: Yes

3: Dungeons yes, trials no

4: I get my XP memento then play as I want with the XP bonus, I only go out of my way to earn tickets if there is something I want from the event vendor if not I just play the game as I would if there were no event on.

5: Tanking dungeons and questing

6: 5 trade guilds I pay my dues no one bothers me, I can be as involved on uninvolved in the guilds as I feel like

7: Not applicable

8,9,10: I usually start with a guide, then change it till it suits me at which point it becomes nearly unrecognizable from the starting guide, does that count as unique.

I tend to collect sets that are not even close to ever being considered META and screwing around with them, for as simple reason as the proc set effect looks cool stuff like that, I can still kill stuff just fine am I being as efficient as possible rarely.

11: Nothing really stands out to be honest.

12: I play solo, use in game chat if I need to communicate with others. I am a member of a few of my guilds discord but only use it to check on guild info, just hate voice chat in general.

13,14: No real life friends playing as far as I know. Aside from a few guild mates I have talked to enough to remember their userID's everyone on my friends list are largely just acquaintances most of which I have not talked to much again after the friend requests, have trouble remembering how I met most of them. As for the rest of the people in my guilds plenty of acquaintances plenty of other members I have never even contacted in game.

Do I feel lonely? no I play ESO on occasion to waste some spare time, to get away from people in real life, if I feel like being social I will put up with those people I am avoiding while playing the game.

15: Starting out with no clue how to play the game nor having any access to a guild house, not knowing how to make a decent amount of gold, not being able to craft sets with bonuses. Over time every problem will go away assuming your willing to join at least one guild to get access to a trader and guild house.

16: I am an Australian so have time zone issues with a lot of players from other countries, it can be a pain to arrange group stuff with guilds or acquaintances in game. I am lazy and hate organizing things with others in game, rather do my own thing at my own pace.

17: I play with others on occasion, don't know if I would ever go as deep as trying to judge their personality or anything like that, so long as people don't act like idiots/trolls and do their roles in the group content, I am willing to stay in a group do what needs to be done and move on.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

No rule says you have to be social or outgoing or friends with everyone you meet in game.

You have good news you feel like sharing and are not in a guild type it out in zone chat, you will get a few positive responses a few trolls, someone will almost always be willing to engage in a bit of chat in most zones, we all have one thing in common we all seem to have a bit of time to waste playing this game, how you spend that time is up to you.

Just do what you want to do in game, everything else is secondary to that.

Watchdog · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Exploring and taking screenshots, questing, farming (surveys and treasure maps), crafting, fashion, home decorating. Sometimes guild events.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

Yes, with my guildies.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

Nope, no need for PUG's, I am in a great and active social guild.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

Yes.

5. What is your favourite activity?

Exploring and home decorating.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

I am in a social guild called Alith Legion and in a trading guild called Tamriel Marketeers on the PC EU server. I do not see any dislikes worth mentioning, to name something, perhaps having to keep in mind to sell some items and put 5k gold into the trading guild's bank to allow us to have a good tradepost, but that comes with the business, right? As for likes, it is great to have people to chat with (the same people you have known for a while, not random strangers).

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

---

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

Yes, I like doing exactly that.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

Yes, mostly Alcast's, as a guide to what works with what, then I modify it according to my needs and options available.

10. Do you follow build guides?

See point 9, please.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Soloing my first group dungeon.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

Yes, mostly my guildies from the social guild.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

---

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

I am in a social guild.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

One's builds have to focus not only on dealing enough damage, but also on survivablity - health, resistances, self-healing skills. It is the Holy Trinity of Roles neatly packed into a single build.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

I am not always available for group activities, or I just need to unwind and I am not into much talking and co-operating after a stressful day at work. I need to immerse myself into the world, and just do what I feel like doing at my own pace. If I want to stop, because I find the location and the sunset there absolutely amazing, I do not waste anyone else's time with 15 minutes of trying to get the best screenshot.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

I sometimes do, with my guildies.

Ethyarion · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Mostly overland questing. I have 9 max level characters so tend to work through a zone completing quests, collecting Skyshards etc. Also crafting, resource gathering and some achievements.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

No, never.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

No, never.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

Depends on the event. Some yes, some no. Anything attached to PvP is definitely a no.

5. What is your favourite activity?

Anything with decent story content that I can do on my own.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

No.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

I'm not oppposed to guilds, I haven't found one I care to join yet. I dislike the dependency on Discord that seems to be mandatory these days. Additionally I have no desire to join a pixel army of 200+ people and the majority of guilds seem intent on reaching those 500 members ASAP. Quality over quantity, y'know?

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

Indifferent. I have in the past but I can't be arsed so much these days as the combat changes homogenised most of the abilities to mathmatical balance without consideration if they're still fun to use. Combat was so much more fun before Morrowind.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

Somewhat, but adapt them. Just because I don't group play it doesn't mean I'm not interested in developing my character.

10. Do you follow build guides?

Rarely.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Just playing at my own pace, going where I want to go and doing what I want to do is fun enough for me.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

Hate discord, no. I had friends that played, they left.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

Yes, sometimes. I do have a family member that plays but they're commonly doing trials. We have done a number of dungeons as a duo. I've done a number of dungeons solo too.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

I have an enormous pile of shame in my Steam account

so I play something else.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

Nothing really, it's incredibly easy and that's fine.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

I'm not a people person. I'm a good friend once I get to know people but I'm not really a social person. Quality over quntity again.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

Of course, I'm not opposed to group play and I'd like to do trials; I've raided in many other games both casually and hardcore and been pretty good at it. But I've yet to find a relaxed environment, that doesn't pressure people to live on discord (I'm fine with it for events) 24/7 and is relatively small and tight knit.

Charon_on_Vacation · May 2020

StormeReigns wrote: »

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
A: Overland, solo base game dungeons, leveling up crafting, BGs and Cyrodiil (when it works) work on writs

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
A. Still do enjoy running group content, WBs, Dragons, Vet/HMs

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
A. I'll Pug Dungeons, vet/hm trials, ect always with a guild.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
A. Depends on my mood and if I want to or not.

5. What is your favourite activity?
A. Finding random wayshrine and "Behold, the music of the Khajiit!" play the Esjar.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
A. Yes, and no real complaints or complements - we are like minded and help each other out and do our own things

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
A. As above.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
A. Have my own build. Not meta, but on good days I can pull about 55k dps. Not massively impressive, but still good enough to keep pace while doing mechanics.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
A. My own, made for soloing, but can work in dungeons/trials if I am needed, but will change it up if I am signed up to run with guildies.

10. Do you follow build guides?
A. Used to, until I figured out how to build around my own personal weaknesses and strengths.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
A. Just doing things that I like. Seeing if I can solo DLC WBs ands dungeons while puzting about.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A. Deaf, mostly in ingame chat, on occasion, I'll put in the hearing aid to watch movies and listen to music super loud, Neighbors hate me

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
A. Yep, nope.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
A. I draw. I make my own friends!

But they can come off judgemental or overly worrisome though...

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
A. For me, staying ahead of the physical challenges I suffer through (Essential Tremors, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus)
I may want to game, but when the joints and body say nope, its a cocktail of pills and a nap.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
A. Allows me to play at my own pace, still stay active with kidlets, stayed AFK at a WShrine playing the Esjar for 40+ mins just to play princess zombie makeup with my oldest.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
A. Yes and no. All depends on my mood, how I feel, and if I have time.

i am really curious.
if you do all that group content, playing in a guild and such, why would you call yourself a solo player?

Vietfox · May 2020

1. What activities do you do?
PvP

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
No

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
I'm not interested on PvE guilds, so if i need to farm a specific set then yes, i pug.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
No

5. What is your favourite activity?
PvP (at 3am, when it's playable)

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
I am in a couple of guilds just in case i ever want to ask something, but i rarely interact with people. Plus there's always some kind of drama going on in every guild, giving me even more reasons to avoid socializing.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
Yes.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
I don't copy build guides, but i like to check some other people's builds in case i forgot or didn't consider a specific skill, combo or whatever.

10. Do you follow build guides?
No.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo?
PvP.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A couple who i talk to from time to time, but i usually talk to randoms more often than to friends. Like when i say "gf" and stuff like that.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
It would be fine even if i had none, i enjoy loneliness. Plus having random short conversations with different people every time is fun too.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
I don't need to cope with ingame loneliness, i enjoy it.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
Idk, trials i guess since they are meant for 12 people lol.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
There are many reasons, but the main one for me is freedom. Freedom to do whatever the hell i want.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
Yeah sure, as long as i can still play solo most of the time.

StormeReigns · May 2020

Charon_on_Vacation wrote: »

StormeReigns wrote: »

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
A: Overland, solo base game dungeons, leveling up crafting, BGs and Cyrodiil (when it works) work on writs

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
A. Still do enjoy running group content, WBs, Dragons, Vet/HMs

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
A. I'll Pug Dungeons, vet/hm trials, ect always with a guild.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
A. Depends on my mood and if I want to or not.

5. What is your favourite activity?
A. Finding random wayshrine and "Behold, the music of the Khajiit!" play the Esjar.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
A. Yes, and no real complaints or complements - we are like minded and help each other out and do our own things

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
A. As above.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
A. Have my own build. Not meta, but on good days I can pull about 55k dps. Not massively impressive, but still good enough to keep pace while doing mechanics.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
A. My own, made for soloing, but can work in dungeons/trials if I am needed, but will change it up if I am signed up to run with guildies.

10. Do you follow build guides?
A. Used to, until I figured out how to build around my own personal weaknesses and strengths.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
A. Just doing things that I like. Seeing if I can solo DLC WBs ands dungeons while puzting about.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A. Deaf, mostly in ingame chat, on occasion, I'll put in the hearing aid to watch movies and listen to music super loud, Neighbors hate me

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
A. Yep, nope.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
A. I draw. I make my own friends!

But they can come off judgemental or overly worrisome though...

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
A. For me, staying ahead of the physical challenges I suffer through (Essential Tremors, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus)
I may want to game, but when the joints and body say nope, its a cocktail of pills and a nap.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
A. Allows me to play at my own pace, still stay active with kidlets, stayed AFK at a WShrine playing the Esjar for 40+ mins just to play princess zombie makeup with my oldest.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
A. Yes and no. All depends on my mood, how I feel, and if I have time.

i am really curious.
if you do all that group content, playing in a guild and such, why would you call yourself a solo player?

Because I am.
One person's playstyle and experiences, or those of a select few do not dictate nor define the playstyles and experiences of another, no matter how similar or different they may seem.

As stated in what you quoted. Depends on my mood, how I feel, if I decided to sign up for it or not if I will join in group content with others, guild or pug. Just because one solos, doesn't strictly dictate that they must be and are always isolated and away from others no matter what. A solo player can join in as much or as little group content as they see fit if they so decide to. Be it helping strangers or friends, or just wanting to do something different at that moment.

There are some that will be true to the literal definition, others who may and will be different. Why? cause each player is a person, and each person is vastly different from the next.

SmukkeHeks · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

I’m exploring, enjoying the views and sounds, observing what others do, questing, farming materials, treasure maps, daily’s, writs, crafting. I’m not into housing yet, but it’ll probably come some day.
I’m very enjoyed when stumbling upon RP’ers in action.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

I have a few very dear friends who I’ll ask for help. Sometimes they’ll bring friends too.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

No. Reasons are many: I’m not a fast runner through something I want to enjoy and experience, don’t want to bother others with my life as a single mom which includes everything from the suddenly afk, to son asking very strange questions in the background. And they don’t have a very positive reputation, those instances with strangers with zero social skills...

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

When, if, I want.

5. What is your favourite activity?

It’s still exploring. Tamriel is such a stunning world.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

No. I don’t want to do the discord, which is also due to some of the same reasons as why I’m not pugging. Don’t want to be a bother.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

Don’t dislike the guilds. They are a social construct in a world we all have a part in.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

I’m building to enjoy myself. Don’t know if that’s unique, but it’s adapted to me, how I want to play and my enjoyment

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

No

10. Do you follow build guides?

No

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

I’m getting giggles from the quests, funny NPCs. Pre T1, the buzz of completing a zone, destroying the big strong enemy, were real. It’s not anymore. Now it’s a hot mess of quest starters standing in every major city you arrive to.

Fun is more the personalities I’m meeting through the quests, even at the fourth play through. It’s careful created, voice acting right on target. Very, very neatly created.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

No

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

Have few friends. Never lonely.

(If you are and you notices my toon, then come and say hi. We need to fight loneliness one talk at a time)

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

I’m being a kind soul. I’m not lonely, but do understand pain. So being kind is my responsibility, my moral obligation.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

You have no other to blame death than you. Maybe the enemy.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

I’m an introvert.
And again, the mom status thing. If he calls I’m gone, and I’m thinking it would be a disturbance to others.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

I do. I have few who I’ll sometimes ask for help. They, and their friends, knows why I sometimes disappear. I’m very grateful for them

Hu-Rikan · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Questing, Delves, Writs, housing

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

yea but I try to wait for my few homies to get on

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

not sure what is meant by pugging

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

yes

5. What is your favourite activity?

questing and housing

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

3 of my own guilds, 1 belonging to an other player.. I like creating a lore or theme for my guilds(so naturally lack of said theme or lore is something i really dont like about most guilds i've encountered) i dislike the lack of communication and participation from most members

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

n/a

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
yes
9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

on my first one but I still can't bring myself to not add my own twist to it

10. Do you follow build guides?

i use them for tips/advice

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

outside of being able to take down world bosses solo I enjoy actually being able to pay attention to the dialogue and not having to rush through so much story content

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

My guilds have discord but nobody is ever on it lbs

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

I have 3, one has been MIA and the other 2 don't get on as often as I do so yea, definitely

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

I try to reach out to newer players and am always recruiting for my guilds, outside of that its pretty much a waiting game

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
not being able to unlock certain achievements or items because I cant do trials or dungeons and yea feeling lonely in a mmo is pretty wack sometimes

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

like you I have social anxiety but I dont think it plays too much of a factor in game, if nothing else one thing I do enjoy about being solo is not having to hear anyone tell me why I should change this or that about my character. Usually when I link with randoms or jus new ppl in general all I hear is how to improve my stats when i'm largely more concerned with having fun, lore etc.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature
of course, the few ppl I actually play with are pretty like-minded

Danikat · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Whatever I feel like today. I spend most of my time questing, but also have a dedicated crafter who I do daily writs with and periodically take out to do surveys or master writs. Oh and I like housing so every so often I'll spend time decorating. (I'm still slowly sorting out and placing the 200 books I dumped in one house around late January.)

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

Yes and yes, although I've never done trials. I imagine I could (I have raided in other games) but it's not something that interests me so I've never tried. I'm more likely to play with a guild group than a pug, but I have joined pugs sometimes when I wanted to do a dungeon and there was no one in my guild available.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

If it interests me and/or I want the rewards. Since ESO's festivals tend to be pretty minimal - mostly bonus drops on the same stuff that's in the game all year round I usually only do them if I want the rewards, and then only until I've got the things I want. For example I got all the indriks so far, because I like them, but didn't bother with item fragments or whatever else was available.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

I'm in two guilds, both very casual-friendly social guilds. One usually has a guild store and the other does occasionally, but neither is primarily a trading guild and there's no requirement to use it if you don't want to. The main benefits for me are that they give me people to talk to while playing, to ask advice from and to help when I need it. And in return I help other people when they need it, which leads to doing things I might not have thought of doing myself.

I don't think there's really any downsides for me, except that it did take some time (and trial and error) to find the guilds which are right for me.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
10. Do you follow build guides?

I mostly create my own builds via experimentation, and I never follow a guide exactly, but I will occasionally use them for pointers. For example when my templar got to level 50 I knew I wanted a hybrid build using dual daggers and a bow, so I went looking for similar builds online to see what they recommended. I was mildly surprised to find that dual daggers and a bow were recommended weapons, but of course for a purely stamina build instead of hybrid. I found a build which already used many of the same skills I did and tried out the others they recommended, kept some and swapped out others (for example there was no self-heal because it assumed you'd be in a group, so I added one) but it gave me some ideas I hadn't considered, like the Fighter's Guild trap skill.

This is one reason I like my guilds - I once put in chat "Who wants to do a dungeon with my terrible low level warden healer wth a made-up hybrid build?" and immediately got "Let me swap to my terrible tank and I'll join you". By the time he'd swapped we were having to turn down DDs because we had too many offers.

(Oh, and we finished the dungeon without wiping.)

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Probably doing things no one else would put up with me doing if we were playing together, like spending ages trying to get across that broken bridge on Stros M'kai, or going back around a public dungeon to re-read the notes in the correct order. Or picking out a costume and hair style for a 'disguise' for sections of a quest where you have to investigate a group of people but aren't actually required to be in disguise.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

Not on Discord (I usually can't use voice chat because I'm in a noisy room) but as above I talk to my guilds while playing. And if there's no one online to talk to I can talk to my husband about what I'm doing, or what he's doing, or both. Unless he's watching a movie.

But also I'm mainly used to single-player games. Other than ESO the only MMOs I've spent much time on are Ultima Online about 20 years ago, Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2, so to me not having other people in the game to talk to is normal and MMOs are the exception. It's a bit of a novelty for me that there are other people in this game at all.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

I'm not sure if it's because I play solo or because I don't use champion points or both but I can't beat world bosses solo, so I have to wait for someone else to show up. Sometimes that can take a while. It's not exactly challenging though, I just keep the game in the background with one eye on the boss and read the forums or whatever.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

I play solo because my free time is very erratic. My job often involves odd hours and I have other hobbies which take up my time at unpredictable intervals so I can't commit to being online at a certain time every day (or even every week). Honestly I wouldn't want to either, I'd much rather decide in the moment what I want to do with my free time than feel obligated to log into ESO because I'm expected to be there, but I don't think it's reasonable or practical to expect other people to play with me frequently under those cirumstances.

As explained above I can and do play with other people sometimes but only on a short term non-commital basis. I'll agree to do a dungeon with a group if I'm free when they're starting, I'm probably not willing or able to agree to an entire evening of dungeon running or doing a dungeon every Wednesday or whatever.

Charon_on_Vacation · May 2020

StormeReigns wrote: »

Charon_on_Vacation wrote: »

StormeReigns wrote: »

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
A: Overland, solo base game dungeons, leveling up crafting, BGs and Cyrodiil (when it works) work on writs

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
A. Still do enjoy running group content, WBs, Dragons, Vet/HMs

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
A. I'll Pug Dungeons, vet/hm trials, ect always with a guild.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
A. Depends on my mood and if I want to or not.

5. What is your favourite activity?
A. Finding random wayshrine and "Behold, the music of the Khajiit!" play the Esjar.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
A. Yes, and no real complaints or complements - we are like minded and help each other out and do our own things

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
A. As above.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
A. Have my own build. Not meta, but on good days I can pull about 55k dps. Not massively impressive, but still good enough to keep pace while doing mechanics.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
A. My own, made for soloing, but can work in dungeons/trials if I am needed, but will change it up if I am signed up to run with guildies.

10. Do you follow build guides?
A. Used to, until I figured out how to build around my own personal weaknesses and strengths.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
A. Just doing things that I like. Seeing if I can solo DLC WBs ands dungeons while puzting about.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A. Deaf, mostly in ingame chat, on occasion, I'll put in the hearing aid to watch movies and listen to music super loud, Neighbors hate me

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
A. Yep, nope.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
A. I draw. I make my own friends!

But they can come off judgemental or overly worrisome though...

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
A. For me, staying ahead of the physical challenges I suffer through (Essential Tremors, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus)
I may want to game, but when the joints and body say nope, its a cocktail of pills and a nap.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
A. Allows me to play at my own pace, still stay active with kidlets, stayed AFK at a WShrine playing the Esjar for 40+ mins just to play princess zombie makeup with my oldest.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
A. Yes and no. All depends on my mood, how I feel, and if I have time.

i am really curious.
if you do all that group content, playing in a guild and such, why would you call yourself a solo player?

Because I am.
One person's playstyle and experiences, or those of a select few do not dictate nor define the playstyles and experiences of another, no matter how similar or different they may seem.

As stated in what you quoted. Depends on my mood, how I feel, if I decided to sign up for it or not if I will join in group content with others, guild or pug. Just because one solos, doesn't strictly dictate that they must be and are always isolated and away from others no matter what. A solo player can join in as much or as little group content as they see fit if they so decide to. Be it helping strangers or friends, or just wanting to do something different at that moment.

There are some that will be true to the literal definition, others who may and will be different. Why? cause each player is a person, and each person is vastly different from the next.

oh, i see.. so it's just a personal definition kind of thing, okay!

LukosCreyden · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

I do a bit of everything; questing, pvp, world bosses, dungeons...

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

Yes, on occasion. Trials, for example.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

Trials yes, dungeons I typically solo.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

Yep.

5. What is your favourite activity?

Soloing DLC dungeons, BGs, Cyrodiil when it works.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

I am. Been in 3 particular guilds for a few years now. I help members out when I can, they help me out if I ask. Overall, it is fine.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

n/a.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

Yes. Fortunately, solo play and pvp both lend well to this.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

no, I theorycrafted my solo build myself. However, it is quite similar to some other solo builds that I have seen.

10. Do you follow build guides?

If I want some inspiration for pvp, yes.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Most fun? Can't say, I enjoy a lot of stuff. Most satisfying though would be soloing that one WB in Southern Elsweyr that people often complain about having trouble with. Also, clearing a DLC dungeon for the first time solo. I always enjoy going in blind.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

Not Discord, but I do have some friends who I sometimes chat with if they are online.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

I DO sometimes wish I had a stable dungeons/trials group, but I always find it quite awkward to make online friends. Meeting new people in real life is just fine, but in game always feels weird to me.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

not really applicable

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

Being an effective tank, dps and healer all in one, whilst stringently obeying mechanics. Its really fun! One of the things that makes ESO so good tbh.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

Apart from what I mentioned above, I'm not very good with "gaming timetables". For example; we might have a VetHM Scalecaller run at 6pm. I would have to show up so as to not let people down, but maybe I would not be particularly in the mood for it? When playing games, I don't really want to feel like I have to stick to a schedule and do content I may not be in the mood for.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

I'm always willing to help newer players or players who are interested in learning how to make solo builds. I'm perfectly happy to socialize, I just don't go out of my way to try and force myself into what I see as an already-established friend group.

Muizer · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
Whatever I can do to improve my character. Collecting sets and farming mats mostly these days, given my account is well past the CP cap.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
No.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
No

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
No

5. What is your favourite activity?
Depends

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
Trading only

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
I don't dislike or refuse to join.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
Yes. I find completing difficult content solo requires a non-role setup: DPS is closest but sacrifices need be made for self heals, and sustain.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
No

10. Do you follow build guides?
No I do occasionally check to see what build considerations are.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
It's always gratifying when I manage something solo that I could not do before.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
Yes, No

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
No and No/

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
I experience no such thing.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
Evidently there's content that's very difficult to complete and hence certain types of gear may be out of bounds.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
Ok, here's the thing. I'm no RPer per se in the sense that I want to make more of my character than what the gameplay is about, but when I am in the game, I don't want to interact as a RL person playing a game. I'd find things like voice communications hugely disruptive of my enjoyment of the game. Then there's the element of obligation. To have to be in certain places at certain times for a certain duration .... I know I'd be too conscientious about it to not let it become a burden.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
I might, but I concede that not wanting to use voice chat is an obstacle many might not want to deal with.

Lysette · May 2020

Would I consider to play with others, if they would be more like me?

Absolutely, my issue with people is that they are like they are - mostly unpleasant, undisciplined, bad manners and in a hurry. So I prefer being on my own, beside a few friends, which I know for a couple of years from other games - how do i cope with loneliness?- i don't feel lonely, I'm very comfortable being on my own.

Lysette · May 2020

Muizer wrote: »

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
I might, but I concede that not wanting to use voice chat is an obstacle many might not want to deal with,

Yeah this voice chat thing is a big reason for me too - I don't want to listen to their real life, that is immersion breaking.

arena25 · May 2020

Recent wrote: »

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
5. What is your favourite activity?
6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
10. Do you follow build guides?
11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

1: Questing, treasure chest hunting, fishing, etc.
2: On occasion, i'll join a group if people need help with a world boss, but more often than not, i'll leave it alone.
3: I've pugged trials before, but never dungeons.
4: If my attention isn't drawn away to some other game, most definitely.
5: There are so many activities I like to do, I can't really name a favorite. I'll go with being part of an awesome community.
6: Yes, I'm in 3 trading guilds and 1 inactive social guild. I love being able to sell stuff on the guild store, since my inventory tends to fill up quickly with stuff I don't use.
8: Yes. I usually take one ability from each class skill line, then use my 4th for soul trap and use my fifth slot for whatever ability I feel like leveling up.
9: Not really.
10: Not really, but on occasion I'll consult the forum for build advice.
11: Taking my necromancer and being able to solo a Coldharbour world boss was quite fun.
13: I'm sure we're all feeling lonely right now due to our ongoing public health crisis, so I'm not sure this would be an appropriate time to ask that question.
14: Forums and social media.
15: Solo challenge dungeons like Maelstrom Arena. Trust me, it's difficult.
16: Because if you die, the only person to blame is yourself. It's helped my anger issues more than you know.
17: Possibly. Unfortunately, when you consider the fact the list of people who want me dead is very long, and the fact your personal anthem is "Love The Way You Hate Me" by Like A Storm (which I will not link the lyric video here cos I'm sure the mods will not appreciate it), I'm afraid there is not a whole lot of people who are similar in nature to me.

Tommy_The_Gun · May 2020

1. Crafting, questing, solo gear farming.
2. Yes, I only use group finder for dungeon that I can't do solo or are longer solo than with group. Used to do trials, but finding 11 people via chat takes way, wayyy to long.
3. Dungeons - yes. Trials - no, as no one wants me (X class / X race main combo, without X gear lfg for tank.... N O P E ! ! !)
4. Yep, all of them so far.
5. Idk... I liked PvP, but that is no longer like-able. Waiting for Graymoor to do some new quests and scrying / treasure hunting.
6. Nope. I once was, but it was too toxic & stressful. I will probably never join one again after what I have experienced.
7. Trading or end-game PvE guild. PvP are not as "toxic" but full of crazy lunatics...

8. Yes. I have my own playstyle and make my own builds.
9. Nope.
10. Nope.
11. vMA, soloing some veteran base game group dungeons.
12. I play solo. It has 2 sides of a coin... no friends... but at the same time no trolls

13. No.... and no...
14. With ease. Not a problem for me.
15. Balancing build between Tanking, dmg & sustain.
16. Bad experience with other people. Also, I like being independent. Also, by doing solo content, you challenge yourself and your individual skills. Doing content in group judges a group of people and how they can work together, rather than their skill.
17. Maybe, but such people do not exist

Tandor · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

A. Questing, crafting, exploring, fishing, housing. I don't buy crates.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

A. I play cooperatively with others at dolmens, delves and world bosses, but not in formal groups.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

A. I'm not really interested in dungeons or trials, but will occasionally pop my head into a dungeon for something. in which
case I'll be solo/cooperative.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

A. I have done all the non-PvP and non-dungeon ones, but have no interest in PvP or group dungeons, or in the countless
different ways of having an indrik look. I still do some of the events I've done before but there are too many and they get
tedious after a while so I'm pretty casual about them.

5. What is your favourite activity?

A. Questing, but really I just like having the freedom to log in and do whatever I feel like doing at the time.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

A. I have played multi-player games since 1997 and have done my share of guild and kingdom etc membership and
management. For some years now I have preferred not to be involved in that aspect of MMOs and just to play them for the
quests and storyline rather than as a form of social life.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

A. I wouldn't say I dislike guilds per se, rather that I don't sit at the computer to be sociable, that's how I am when I'm away
from the computer with my family and friends.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

A. I don't create builds. I have some 40 characters across two accounts on two servers. I choose a class and race, a weapon
style, and either magicka, stamina, or hybrid, and the rest evolves as the character levels up.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

A. I've never looked at other players' build guides in any game. They are of no interest to me. Likewise streaming.

10. Do you follow build guides?

A. See above. They are of no interest to me.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

A. Basically just playing the game, but I suppose joining in with a world boss can be quite satisfying if it's a tough encounter.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

A. I have no interest in voice chat, never have had - it's one of the reasons I stopped joining guilds as I could see it coming.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

A. Absolutely not. I may be sitting alone at my computer but so is pretty much every other player. My wife is in the next room.
I tend to play in shortish bursts as I have so much else going on in my life now I'm retired (the old cliche about not knowing
how I ever fitted in a job is absolutely true), so I have no reason to feel lonely.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

A. Not applicable.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

A. Some encounters can be tougher than others. I must admit that when I play offline games the save game function is a
pleasant surprise!

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

A. MMORPGs are a natural extension of single-player CRPGs. I enjoy seeing other player characters around, it adds to the atmosphere, and
I'm happy to interact with them in various ways but don't feel the need to be tied to them for combat or socially. I don't have any anxiety
or other disorders, but I am one of the older players so that is a factor in how I play.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

A. That's not a relevant consideration, it's nothing to do with why I play the way I do.

Sylvermynx · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Questing, crafting, exploring; I don't actively "farm" but every one of my characters harvests while doing quests and exploring.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

I never group as I'm not going to foist my mega-ping (due to satellite) on others to deal with.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

No.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

As long as it's not pvp, yes.

5. What is your favourite activity?

Questing.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

No. I'm not social, and I don't like the "guild trader" setup here.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

See #6.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

Yes.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

I did to begin with as I had no idea what to do with CP. Now, I do what seems right or logical.

10. Do you follow build guides?

Not now.

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Getting through the end of the MQ only dying once.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

No. I don't have any interest in chat.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

Good LORD no.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

What's that?

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

With satellite lag, having to work out a strategy for quest line bosses so my characters don't die over and over.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

No social anxiety here, though I am quite an introvert and also a hermit. And I just don't like people for the most part.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

No. SO not my idea of fun.

SnowFeather · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
A: Mostly questing. I do occasionally farm an do writs, but 99% of my time is spent just enjoying the questing.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
A. Very rarely. If i come accross a harder delve ment for more people ill try an either join in with someone, or fallow in the wake of their destruction to get what i need done >.>

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
A: Yup. Iv pugged many dungeons. I havnt built up enough nerve though to do trials yet. If there was a LFG for trials like there is dungeons (like in wow) then id prob do it more.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
A: Most of the times yes.

5. What is your favourite activity?
A: Questing an browsing the many traders for good deals!

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
A: Yes, 2 an they are both trading guilds. One i really enjoy cause they hold fun events sometimes (last year was a easter egg hunt an me an my mom partook in it an it was so much fun! i won 3rd place!), the 2nd guild im in is pretty boring though, but hey, gold is gold.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
A: N/A

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
A: kinda. My build is just put together as i leveled an what i thought was best for me, its not really based on anything other then to keep me alive as a solo quester.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
A: No

10. Do you follow build guides?
A: No

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
A: Iv ran into many memorable quests that i really enjoyed, but id have to say my most fun experience was in the easter egg hunt i was in that my guild did as my mom also joined in with me an it was just alot of fun (lol im in my 30s btw, it made me feel like a little kid again XD)

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
A: Nope. Only person i play eso with is my mom. My husband would be playing with me if we had a 2nd gaming pc, but sadly, we only got the 1 atm.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
A: Sometimes.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
A: If i start feeling lonely to a point its distracting me from actually enjoying the game, ill just log off an go do something else.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
A: Working up enough guts to do a trial.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
A: Lol im a introvert.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
A: Yup!

DragonRacer · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc

Questing, running surveys, daily crafting writs, farming, guild maintenance (such as tallying raffle tickets, creating/acquiring auction items, booting inactive players, accepting new players, resolving any disputes between guildmates that escalates into chat drama, placing trader bids weekly), shopping for good deals on items in guild traders to either use for myself or flip to make extra coin.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?

Yes. Sometimes I combine my own needs that I can't do on my own (such as a world boss) with guild social activities. Skyshard hunts and world boss runs can be more fun in a group running around and folks might need help but don't always ask, but seeing a sanctioned "guild event" running it lets them join in without feeling awkward about specifically asking for help.

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?

No. If I have a desire to run something, like a new 4-person dungeon, I'll ask guildmates to join who all want to go slow and experience the story rather than rush through. Sometimes, if a guildmate asks for help in a dungeon in chat, I'll join if the mood strikes me. But I don't go pugging anything.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?

Yes, I mostly like events and - aside from Undaunted - can be done solo. Enough people run events that you don't have to worry about trying to solo a world boss. LOL

5. What is your favourite activity?

Questing. In the event of not having quests left to do, I like farming mats. It's peaceful running around on the map and I still get excited seeing gold mats pop up when refining my stacks later. Also exciting to see a nirncrux pop up in a node.

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?

Yes, I became the GM of my favorite guild after the former one retired from active guild ownership (he still hangs around and plays, though) and am an officer in three others. That might sound ironic for a "solo player", but playing solo does not necessarily mean anti-social. I just prefer not to be on mic and chatting when I'd rather hear NPCs, game music, general atmosphere. I prefer guild text chat, where I can choose to be social if in the mood or at least keep an eye out if someone needs anything (help with a world boss, need something crafted for research, etc).

Likes about being in a guild - I LOVE RUNNING AUCTIONS. Participating in them was my first favorite thing ever when I joined my guild, then started running them when I became Vice-GM and have continued running them ever since. Three years straight of doing Friday Night Auctions now, save for the occasional road trip where the former GM spots for me instead. It does not feel that long because I genuinely enjoy it. My other favorite thing about being in a guild is the camaraderie. We have an awesome mix of folks who have been around each other forever, so it really is an in-game family. Some days, chat is quiet. Other days, text chat is amusing and we all pile in for the fun.

Dislikes of being in a guild - for me, probably only comes from the guild leadership side. Some days, you log in with not a lot of time to play so maybe you just wanna do a few quick things, but instead the planets align and everybody needs something one after the other. So, instead of playing at all, you just spent your one gaming hour answering whispers or resolving a spat or other guild maintenance type of things. But those days are usually not too common.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?

Not applicable.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?

I just kinda do my thing on my main. She's never gonna be meta anyway, so I don't really care.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?

Sometimes for my other toons.

10. Do you follow build guides?

This seems the same as Question 9?

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )

Finally completing Normal Maelstrom Arena. I wouldn't necessarily say "fun", but maybe most accomplished? I know "LOL normal", but VMA is out of reach for me. I never would have expected to complete normal because my main is an old nerfed-to-heck NB SapTank. She has enough DPS to make solo play not agonizing, but she's very much a tank. So, MA was excruciatingly slow and Stage 9 with the poison was created in the darkest depths of Mordor. I only did it because I wanted to complete all the map markers in Wrothgar and that was the only one I'd had left, so I walked in and thought I'd try it.

The fun part was giving a bit of a play-by-play in guild text chat. Everyone knows I'm a solo PvE player, that I don't usually do dungeons, never do trials, not chasing meta or DPS marks on the dummy or any endgame stuff. I'm a hardcore casual, I guess? LOL Play a lot and long hours, but not shooting for any bragging rights anywhere. So, they seemed amused by my journey, gave mechanics advice when I got stuck, cheering me on. it was sweet. And chatting about it and making fun of myself in my usual self-deprecating way apparently inspired a few other guildmates to try MA (who had otherwise avoid it before, like I had). Because here was their GM who felt not up to the task trying to do it anyway, so there was a bit of a "Well, if she's trying it, maybe I can, too". So then we had a few play-by-plays in text chat happening at the same time. LOL

I gave up after Stage 9 stumped me and I was tired, late at night. Felt like a failure (in-game; game events don't affect my feelings about real life in general). Woke up the next morning to the sweetest in-game mail message from the guildmate I'd inspired to try MA). Really pumped me up and lifted my mood. I dove back in and finally got past the hump... and eventually completed NMA. There was much guild text chat rejoicing... and, of course, the questions of when I'd try VMA next. LOL And eventually the encouraging guildmate who'd followed me into NMA got his completion a few days later. That felt almost as good as my own.

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?

Yes.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?

Not applicable.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?

Not applicable.

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?

Clearing maps fully. There are a handful of world bosses I still need to go back and clean up as well as parts of Craglorn where I will have no choice but to see who might want to run with me to knock them out. Same for when new 4-person dungeon DLCs drop and I want to play through to hear the story.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )

ENFJ here, so not an introvert although I ride the line. I have no social anxiety - in fact, the pandemic has me a little cramped because my favorite social activities are Renaissance Faires and packing into college football stadiums and neeeeeeither of these things are going to happen anytime soon, I suspect.

But I prefer to play solo, I suppose, because that is mostly how I have gamed. Since childhood, 95% of games were offline and/or solo experiences. I play them to escape, to go into an interactive story. Being a Chatty Cathy to people on mic is completely the opposite of that - I only enjoy that if I am doing content I have already experienced solo alone, so that the gaming is more mindless and rote muscle memory so that my concentration is more on the socializing aspect. I really can't do both - I have to choose whether I want to enjoy a quiet gaming experience of delving into the story/atmosphere OR if I want to mindlessly do whatever in-game while instead focusing on chatting on mic. I can't do both.

Even though ESO is an MMO, I loved Oblivion and Skyrim so it was only natural I'd pick this game up, especially since it emphasized that you could do most content solo if you preferred. This is my first MMO experience.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?

See above answer to kinda answer this one.

woufff · May 2020

tl;dr

daily crafting writs & selling stuff, not much time for anything else

jj45 · May 2020

1. What activities do you do? Example questing, farming etc
Pretty much everything. Dailies, dungeons, housing, and PvP are what I do most. When Greymoor launches I'll be knocking those quests out and trying the Antiquities out also.

2. Do you ever join groups for certain activities you can't complete on your own?
Yes

3. Do you find yourself pugging dungeons and trials?
I never PUG, when I group up I do so only with Guildies. Pugging is awful for various reasons.

4. Do you partake in eso events such as holiday events etc?
Yes

5. What is your favourite activity?
Cyrodil PvP

6. Are you in a guild? If so what are your likes and dislikes of being in a guild?
I am in 3 currently, one trading guild, my main guild for grouping and the like, a newer one I just joined. I like them because no expectations out of me like this is my job or something. My dislikes are some of the cringy things people say in the chat and all the humble bragging people like to do.

7. If you dislike guilds and refuse to not join any then what do you dislike mostly about guilds?
I don't dislike guilds entirely, but I don't like a lot of the elitist mentality that I have encountered in the past, particularly in other mmos I've played over the years. I've picked the guilds I am in currently very carefully to avoid that as much as possible.

8. Do you prefer to create your own unique builds ?
Somewhat, I tend to tweak other builds I find to my playstyle but mostly use other people's(Alcast) builds.

9. Do you use build guides for solo play?
Yes, I've used several of Alcast's solo builds and he is a master at creating them in my opinion, they also fit very well with my playstyle, particularly his magicka solo builds.

10. Do you follow build guides?
Yes

11. What is the most fun experience you've had solo? ( Eg. Killed a world boss on your own )
Soloing my first vet dungeon

12. Do you play solo but have friends on discord you chat with?
I hate using discord, but unfortunately it is sometimes a necessary evil. I avoid it whenever I can.

13. If you don't have any friends ingame, do you feel lonely at times?
I'm a loner, so no I don't feel lonely. Most of the time prefer not to be bothered but I do enjoy playing with others from time to time. I just need more alone time than most people.

14. How do you cope with ingame loneliness?
Never had ingame loneliness. I mean its a video game, do people really get lonely when they play other games too that are single player?

15. What is the most challenging thing about playing solo?
Trying to farm certain gear, right now I am trying to farm Tzogvin's which is a pain to do solo because of the first boss in that dungeon.

16. Why do you prefer to play solo? ( i am aware that not all solo players gave social anxiety nor are they all introverts )
I get things done faster. If I solo out my daily pledges for example, I often do them faster solo than in a group. Don't like having to wait on people, etc. Sometimes I have a lot of time to play and don't care about that, then I like to play with others and help out and chat.

17. Would you ever consider playing with other people if they were similar to you in nature?
I do play with other people, just not a majority of the time.

mayasunrising · May 2020

1. I do pretty much all content - PvE and PvP - except dungeons with group mechanics and trials.
2. Yes. Especially for vet dungeons and trials
3. Yes, but I recently joined a Trials guilds
4. Yep!
5. Hanging out in Imperial City either alone or with my sister.
6. Yes, I'm in 5 of them. I don't really dislike anything about being in my guilds. I just really am a quiet/shy person and don't participate as much as I guess I should. What I love about being in guilds is it does make it easier to find people willing to do content with you if you need.
7. N/A
8. I'd say I'm 50/50 on that. I think I do learning from other people's builds/the META, but I always try to do my own thing.
9. Occasionally
10. See #9
11. Oh, hands down my favorite experience was the night I got the final skyshard for my main. I needed one of the ones behind EPs scroll gates in Cyro so I had manipulate AD into attacking their tri-keeps so I could sneak through and grab the shard. My main - Varda - is kind of a highway woman and obsessed with power so fit her RP PERFECTLY. I attached the screenshot below of me waiting for the gate to open. It was a brilliant. I think I whooped so loud when I got it I scared my roomie. lol!

96390506_1447124005471946_3474553135723184128_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=8WXw9S-HcAAAX-Q1r7m&_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.xx&oh=7eafa2914840de898e9d77fdc8a2cb3e&oe=5EDE3C51

12. I suck at doing the discord thing. But my sister lives with me and she plays ESO, so we crack jokes and stuff from across the hall. Does that count?
13. I have friends in game, but I am so so shy, so I rarely speak with any of them. It does make me feel pretty lonely, but I am what I am I guess.
14. Honestly, i go into Cyro. I always feel part of a team when in Cyro, and generally will even find myself participating in zone chat. It feels the most like an MMO to me. Most of the PvE content just feels like I'm not really needed. Even healers these days seem optional in PvE. In PvP everyone can make a difference.
15. Access to vet content - especially trials. I really wish there were queues for trials.
16. I really do have acute social anxiety and I'm pretty shy. That makes it really challenging for me to either participate in group activities, or start my own groups. I'm hoping that now that I found a trials guild that will be better for me.
17. What, like a guild full of introverts and socially terrified people? THAT would be fun I' m sure. Just like a bunch of awkward girls staring at the floor smiling painfully now and again. haha

robertthebard · May 2020

I'm a solo player because my play time is the definition of sporadic. I'll play for a few weeks, or a couple of months, or whatever, and then be gone for a year. It's not unique to here either, it's that way in all the MMOs I play. Even when I'm on a relatively active streak in a game, I'll get distracted by the next SP game that I've been following, or caught by surprise by an announcement of one that I may want to play that I didn't know was coming, and be gone for x, as I get at least one completion in, multiples for RPGs with a lot of choices, etc.

I'll group up if I'm getting ready to enter something that's group content, and someone sends me an invite. I'll do events, if they're appealing to me. I don't hit Group Finder for anything, but that's not unique to here either, just the result of many years dealing with all that Group Finders entail.

max_only · May 2020

I was a solo player who never went to dungeons until cp 500 because these very forums complaining about “noobs” like we’re all born playing ESO. 🙄

I finally joined Lone Wolf Help, a guild specifically for people who solo right up until they can’t. They have a schedule of interaction that I can participate or avoid as my mood strikes me. Dungeon night, world boss night, trials night, and they had at one point pvp night. When I feel up to it I’ll join the group for a set amount of time and then that’s enough interaction for me.

Before that I did pug but I was either a tank or a healer, and this was before major game changes that allowed me to basically be able to carry the dungeon by myself if need be (still possible on the easier ones). I follow build guides up to a point. I hate trials/raids since forever (it’s not the people it’s the activity) so I disregard trial equipment in guides. In that way I do make up my own builds, and it’s very necessary to make up your own build for pvp so your playstyle (latency) is accounted for.(On weekends we hold block.)

Now though I’m in 3 pvp guilds (DC) in addition to LWH so I group up everyday to pvp. As you know, I purposefully keep my friends list empty. And I don’t chat (in voice or otherwise) while I’m solo. The only reason I’d be in voice is to do the activity that requires voice (PC/NA).

I don’t have in game loneliness. I don’t have rl loneliness. As for advice, I suggest either a combat pet, several short term goals to occupy the spaces, or a real solid story for the character that fills in the blank between stories. If all else fails, put a video/audiobook with your tablet or phone.

idk · May 2020

An odd set of questions since almost all players delve into solo play. I have seen the best raiders also do some solo play, get into the storyline, and solo achievements.

So the difference is really players that try to avoid groups for whatever reason vs players that are comfortable in groups.