A solo-friendly MMORPG: how to play alone without hitting “group required”

Love MMORPGs for the world, the progression and the loot, but don’t always want to fit around a group’s schedule? You’re not alone — “solo MMORPG” is a very common search. The bad news: in many games the best content sits behind “group required”. The good news: in Zarhold almost everything can be done solo, and where a party is needed, empty slots are filled by the world’s residents. Here’s how to play Zarhold on your own and what you won’t miss out on.

A world you can clear solo

Zarhold’s open world is built for a single hero: 26 lands from level 1 to 60 and 312 quests. All ten classes can complete them on their own, and until level 10 every class’s Class Power attacks — so any class is easy to start with.

Each land has a pack, an elite and a land boss. They’re tougher than regular enemies and pay more, and from level 20 elites and bosses can drop epic items. These fights are a real challenge for a solo player: they’re fought manually only, with no auto-battle. Details: Elites and land bosses.

A spec for solo play

Talents unlock at level 10, and from level 20 you can keep two specialisations. A handy setup for solo players: a damage spec for quests and elites, and a second one for dungeons and raids if you feel like it. You can switch outside combat, and respecs are always free. If you’re a healer at heart, play one: healing classes have damage trees too. How to pick a class: Which class to choose.

What to do every day

• Errands. Three daily errands, one weekly and a monthly feat — a reason to come back tomorrow. At level 60 they come from the Errand Board in the capital. No need to stockpile: miss a day and you lose nothing.
• Mini-events. Lucky Hour, Battle of the Day, Wanted, Invasion, the Fair — they reward cosmetics, titles and Marks of Distinction and don’t affect your hero’s power. See what’s on now on the Events page.
• Professions and fishing. Ore veins, herbs and animal tracks are separate for every hero — nobody can snatch them from under your nose. How to pick your crafts: Which profession to choose.
• Hero Chambers. Your own room with trophies: armour on a mannequin, weapons on a rack, season pennants on the wall — Player housing in an MMORPG.

Dungeons and raids without hunting for a group

This is where Zarhold differs from most MMORPGs. You don’t need to find four real people to run a dungeon or a raid:

1. Dungeons. Pick a role and queue — empty slots are filled by the world’s residents. You can also enter completely alone, but the game will honestly warn you that it’s nearly impossible.
2. Raids and world bosses. At level 60, queue alone and the remaining four slots are filled by residents in the right roles.

Residents aren’t dummies: they’re heroes with their own gear, talents and deck who think about their moves, heal and protect their allies. They’re matched by strength — like an average player of the same class and level. In dungeons from level 10 to 27 the tank slot is always a resident, so a newcomer doesn’t have to learn to tank on day one.

What about loot? A resident only presses Need if the item fits their class and beats what they’re wearing, and only gets it if no real player pressed Need. Legendary items go only to real players.

Solo PvP

• 1v1 arena — made for solo players: your opponent is matched by rating and level, and if there aren’t many real players at your level, you’ll face a resident close to your level.
• Team arena and battlegrounds — you can join alone too: the game first looks for real players for up to 50 seconds, then residents fill the free slots on both teams.
• A duel with a resident is practice with no rating or stakes: a handy way to test your deck.

Details: The arena.

When you want company

Playing solo doesn’t close any doors: at any time you can join a guild, invite a friend to your party or answer a group call in chat. In a live party everyone controls their own hero, and residents still only fill empty slots. How it works: Co-op MMORPG.

Solo-friendly MMORPG: FAQ

Can I play through Zarhold alone?

Quests, elites, land bosses, professions and errands — yes. For dungeons and raids you can queue alone: residents of the world fill the empty slots.

Will residents take my loot?

Only items that fit their class and beat what they’re wearing — and only if no real player pressed Need. Residents never take legendaries.

Do I have to join a guild?

No. A guild is optional: a bank, a shared chat and company for runs, but the game doesn’t lock you out without one.

Which class is easiest to play solo?

Any of them: all ten can quest solo. If you want extra durability, start with a plate wearer — the Barbarian, Revenant and Lightbringer have the most Health.

The bottom line

A solo-friendly MMORPG isn’t a cut-down MMORPG. In Zarhold a solo player explores the world, takes on elites and land bosses, levels professions and runs dungeons and raids with the world’s residents — and finds company whenever they want it. Create a hero and set off at your own pace. The beginner’s guide will show you where to start.