The Freelancers Guidebook(Solo Play)
From DDO Compendium
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Advice for Solo Play
"As there have been many threads, posts over the last few days, plus pms for advice[and request or two for my tips to be posted], l'd like to present my Guide to Soloplay. Some are my tactics, some are tactics l've seen posted by others, all l believe will help.
One thing l will not be posting as "what you can do with so and so items" or "perfect builds", this guide is for those starting out in the way of Solo play." ~Viglin
Level of Quest to Solo when not using Solo Difficulty
As each class is different, and some are better then others at Solo, l'd suggest first trying a quest that's two levels below you. After your more familar,you can try higher. Some quests are easier, some are harder, so this is just an average.
Take your Time
Sneak is your friend, even if you are more an elephant then a Ghost. While moving slow in Sneak, you have less chance of being spotted by more then one foe and getting overwhelmed. And except for the few timed quests, there's no bonus in finishing in record time. Take your time, you will greatly increase your chance of survival.
Pull Back
Once you have your foe engaged, either thru Range or Sight aggro, pull back to a place you've cleared to do battle. This cuts down the chance of other creatures spotting your battle and jumping in.
If Feared, RUN
Soon as l get Feared, l turn and run back in the direction l just came, running the Fear count down, and zig zagging to avoid ray spells slamming in my back.
Use their Traps against them
Many quests[Missing in Action comes to mind]where you can let the traps do the work for you.
Smash and Collect everything
This will help cover your high repair costs and get you some free potions. Plus good way to get healing potions, both from breakables and turning in collectables
Healing
I try to carry around 10-20 cure light potions[yes wands are better, but not everyone can use wands], and usually end up using 2-5 of them, but it pays to be overprepared. Shrines l avoid until l'm all but out of health or spell points. After a time you just know how much you can take before you need to use them. I always try to save at least 1 shrine for the final battle
Take out the following in order
Just like in party, Casters, then Trippers[dogs, etc], Melee, then Archers. Named mobs vary on how much higher their CR is to those nearby and their class.
Fight Dirty
Trip, Sunder, Shocking Blow, ambush with Sneak damage, etc. Every little trick you know, put to use.
Carry a variety of Weapons
Slash for Zombies, Bludge for Skeletons and Slimes[bare hands work well to], and ranged for Casters and ranged targets[target them, pull back until out of sight and just shoot them down, while l think this is wrong, while it's here may as well use it]. Later on l know you need special weapons for DR etc, but this is a starter guide.
You don't have to kill Everything
Even though it may mean less exp[which is rare, because when l solo l do all optionals and get more exp then if l group, since most groups skip them], many quests you can avoid unnessary battles. Your exp is waiting at the end, so if things are tough, just avoid[sit in Sneak and watch the monsters pathing, etc]
What class is best for Solo
Paladin, followed by Cleric. l get asked this alot. But, this isn't written in stone. My Necromancer solos pretty well. After reading other's suggestions, "best solo class" is vary debatable.
You have 5 Minutes to get back in
If you die close to the shrine...you can run to it and resurrect yourself. Try to make sure you have already found the shrine and opened its doors, so you can find your way back and enter...for some reason our ghosts cannot pass thru doors . Some quests..the doors close after you open them though.
Pull around Corners or long pulls
To avoid archers, pull a mob around the corner. Casters may follow you but very rare a archer will. Also, if you make a long pull, some may break off the chase and you will end up only fighting one or two foes instead of a group.
Don't use the Gongs!!!
It's just not worth summoning more foes to battle. And if you happen to see a "Sentry" lurking near a gong, take it out fast so it doesn't summon friends to cause you grief.
Shield Block does more then Reduce damage
Shield blocking stops special attacks of mobs...such as Spiders Poison, Undead special touch attacks, etc. Very useful in saving you from dying or constantly healing stat damage etc.
I've avoided tips per class, just wanted to give a general overview of aids to people soloing. I hope this helps and that others can add suggestions. I might in the future add more and post links to solo threads that have good suggestions.
Good luck!
