Shattered Kingdoms

I've just noticed that only a few people group while leveling at lower levels.

Is it just 'noobs' doing that? Is the XP bonus from grouping with someone else noticable and well worth it so that grouping is superior to ranking solo?

In general you should group unless you are able to wipe out a significant part of the area you're levelling in solo. Keep in mind that with more people you are killing NPCs faster (less xp for you) but are able to fight significantly more NPCs (more xp for you) because everyone can tank to a low % before eveyone needs to sleep. There's also less chance of death both from random NPC effects (chaos, confusion, headbutt, lucky rolls) and from ganking from PC enemies.

Now, I'm quite new to this game, so I'm probably one of the "noobies" mentioned, but I found that grouping was extremely effective. Now, this was probably an extreme case (2 Griffon Barbarians, to be exact) but we weren't just killing twice as many monsters. The ammount of XP we were getting rose exponentially. Lv. 1s killing Bakemonos and Goblins and obviously Zaks quite easily (God bless Bash). By the time we actually went to an inn to rest, I had enough XP not only to get all my Amateur skills to Very Good from a friendly mentor (I think there were 2 or so at Good, but that was his fault ) and learn like... 4-5 languages. I was amazed at the ammount of XP we managed to get in the same ammount of time it would have taken me to maybe get a level and a half or so and a couple plat.

However, like I said, extreme case, mileage may vary.

Beyond the extra, faster experience gained, networking and learning to fight in groups is something you need as well.

It's almost always best for low lvl characters to group when they're training for XP, especially if they're different classes, since they can assist each other with multiple skill sets. With spell casting classes, it's also essential to have at least something tank for you, so why not have it be a PC who can likely take more hits than a pet or such. Plus, like Alara said, it helps you to network with other players you'll likely end up networking with later and if you already know how each other does in combat, you have a leg up.

Know I'm kinda repeating people, but I think it's important to emphasize working together as opposed to solo. I also think it helps players break out of their RP shells and do more RPing and honing the way their characters interact with others, before they interact with more experienced players.

My tree fitty
-Kevin

You get better xp for doing damage to tougher NPCs. In a good group, you can be fighting much, much stronger NPCs than you would otherwise, so your XP can increase dramatically. That's what makes it worthwhile, most of the time.

The more people you have in a group, the more total XP the NPC will be worth. If you're then one of the people doing the most damage, its a killer way to level. If however you're the necro with a pointy stick and no spells, its going to suck big time. At low levels (this is me personally) I find the NPCs so quick to burn through that there is no point in grouping, just slows me down. However, at higher levels I find that its immensly easier to level if I'm in a group with someone. Certain classes especially level better in groups, mainly rogues because of circle stab. Plus if you have healers that can come along with you and do nothing but heal, then you'll get the bonus xp from the NPC all to yourself.

Yup, in my experience merc + priest + sorc (doing no dmg) was the best XP I ever had. Three people in the group and only one real dmg dealer.

If you want to be really twink, get four people to help you. You in the front row doing dmg. A priest behind you mounted on a griffon or centaur without a reaching weapon. Then behind them the same thing. Hell you can even mount someone that doesn't auto assist for a six person group. The six person XP bonus, and your the -only one- thats dealing any damage!!!

Yah it's cheating the code. But hey rules are made to be broken.

If you are asking this question, then the answer is 'yes'. However, for those who know what they are doing, no. With the assumption most newbies want to maximize their experience gain in the shortest amount of time.

It is true that grouped experience is more than solo. It is true that a group will overcome hardship. But the way experience gain is designed on SK, it is calculated by damage dealt, or spells cast. Unless the group members are identical in class, the learning curve would quickly spread out amongst members.

Since NPCs in a given area are limited, and so is mana, that and heavy, medium armor, or even a pet can deflect everything early on, there is really no incentive to group. Go at your own pace if you know what you are doing. You control when to rest, when to sleep, when to go see a trainer, it all adds up.

Take the instance of a barbarian and a priest. Will they benefit from each other levelling up? Yes, until the mana runs out, and it runs out pretty soon. Then the barbarian continues to deal damage while the priest learns negligible amount. Should the group call for rest? But why? The barbarian can still go on. However, if you are the melee class always try to befriend a heal friend, which brings me to the next point.

Coming back to the question, if you are asking, you probably don't know the game well, so it's good to group and learn how it's done. Besides, at this time it's also good to make IC friends for the long run.

Alright, I just read One Valiant Truth's post above mine. I concede to the fact it is better to 'group' if you are going to twink. Yeah, can't beat six or whatever numbers in a group with only one person doing damage.

My answer to the question was for the non-twink.