Some Questions from a Newbie

Hi all.

I just started GW this week (switched from WoW) and have a question to ask...

It's about coorperative missions. I heard the party size increases as you progress in the game, and end game missions require 8 people. Is it possible to complete these missions only with henchmen and yourself, or they require full non-NPC party? (such as, friends or guildies...) Personally I've had enough of having to deal with 10-25 real people with raids when I was playing WoW, and I would prefer to actually just play with a few close friends if possible... so I was wondering if it is possibel to do those high-end missions with, say, just 3 players and rest henchmen.

If you could help me answer this, that'd be appreciated!

Thanks

Of course it is.
You can do any mission in the game with heroes + hench and most of them are much easier with 2 players + heroes.

Though - Some could argue that WoW gamers and GW gamers are of two different breeds. But you can hero/hench almost any mission. In Factions I had trouble beating the end of the game with just henchies, and ended up doing a Pug along with a guildmate.

GL and HF nkaw, and if you ever need help, my ingame names are on the side there

Thanks for quick replies!

I'm really glad to hear that I won't have to go through the troubles of finding other players etc. Although I wouldn't mind doing a few PuGs for fun...it's a relief to know that there are always options to just solo+heroes.

There's tons of options.. Just make sure to outfit your heroes nicely, otherwise they just turn into naughty leroy jenkin meat shields, and that.. makes a sad panda any day

I really need sleep >.<

Also, please remember to visit http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Main_Page

For all the informations, missions, weapons etc.

Another convert! Welcome to Guild Wars!

As others have already said, almost every mission in the game is doable by yourself. You will encounter some missions that are easier with real people than with henchies, but they are few and far between.

However there are also a few high end Elite missions in each campaign that will require at least a few other humans along to have a full group and some that will require the coordination of a full human group that isn't possible to achieve with mostly heroes. These include the Fissure of Woe, Underworld, The Deep, Urgoz Warren and The Domain of Anguish.

But don't worry too much about those at this point. They aren't required missions to complete the storylines and by the time you unlock them you'll likely have made many friends in the game that can do them with you.

Find and join a guild. Take the time to find one that fits your interests and playing style and don't just join the first one to ask. There is a section on guru for finding a guild.

Keep in mind it might be tougher with henchmen then with a good human party. Nothing beats a good human group in PvE (although you also risk running into the moronic human groups a lot). It might be easier your first time through to play with other people, but once you get used to the game mechanics and understand more about the game, you should be able to hero/hench pretty much EVERYTHING.

The party size depends somewhat upon where in the game you are. Prophecies (the original chapter) takes the longest time to increase in party size, but most of the game uses a party size of 8. There are some "elite" missions that can use 12.

Almost everything in the game can be done with 1 player plus heroes and henchies, if, as was pointed out, you fully equip your heroes. Some people just use them with their default equipment and skills, or just give them some crap stuff they have kicking around, and then complain that they "suck".
Don't be afraid to sink lots of gold into your heroes, it will get paid back by the ability to last longer and go farther.

Heroes can also use weapons customised to the player since this does +20 damage it will "hopefully" do the same for heroes.

When i'm starting out a new character I usually begin the heroes as /ranger so I get pets as well"once we charm them of course".

A player learning could maybe do worse than explore with 3 heroes plus 3 pets.
Later when yor heroes have gained experience you have a few points to put into a more permanent secondary class.

Thanks all for helpful answers