need advice

Ive played a few MMO but Im finding it hard to complete any of the early missions. Should I be looking to team up or use a henchman even at level 1. Would appreciate some advice. Thanks

If U find early stages of the game difficult- don't get discouraged- it is kinda rough at the begining. Either find a helpfull guild, team up with slightly higher lvl players or grab some henchies. But your best bet is to lvl up a bit before. Things get a lot easier when U reach lvl 10.
In the end if U find it definitelly too overwhelming- U can PM me IG- I might find a spare moment to help U out (it's for U only, so other ppl-plz don't pm me for help) :P

What campaign are you in?

I may be able to help in game aswell if you need. IGN Melony Songbringer. If you can't get past it just pm me. I probably can help you...as long as I am not in the middle of DSC

IGN =in game name
PM = whisper (you will find it as a tab in the chat interface
DSC = Drazach Speed Clear (an area in factions)

Both Nightfall and Factions beginner areas are not designed for solo play. You are expected to use henchmen (Factions) or heroes (Nightfall) to fill out your 4-person party if you cannot get other players.

Guild Wars is a team game, you should be playing with other players, henchmen, or heroes. The only time you dont use a full team is with specialised farming builds or during the starter area in the Prophecies campaign.

thx for all your replies. Are there henchmen in Ascalon?

Yes there is, hold down the alt-key and look around. If you are too far away from them, it won't show, but just run around until you find them. They are near the gate to old ascalon.
I suppose you are in post searing ascalon as you mentioned missions, but if you are in pre, there are no henchies, but it shouldn't be a problem to do pre alone.
If you still find it hard with full party, I suggest that you do a bit of questing to gain xp, or ask help in game, someone will most surely help you with your build etc.

Level 1 and Ascalon and missions - if you mean that literally, did you by any chance talk to Sir Tydus as soon as you got your secondary profession, and go help Prince Rurik against the charr, and find yourself in a wasteland? If so that's your problem right there when you're new to the game. You should be aiming to do all three primary profession skill quests and both seconday profession skill quests, at the very least, before you talk to Sir Tydus. Level 4 is a reasonable minimum level at which to leave the starter area for your first time through the game. Level 5-6 would be better.

If you don't mean that literally - quests and missions are two different things. Quests appear in your quest log ("L"). Missions appear as glowing shields on your world map ("M"). By the time you get to doing missions, you will need henchmen with you (yes there are henchmen in Ascalon, after you've talked to Sir Tydus). If you say missions when you mean quests, people get confused.