How many henchmen do you bring when "soloing"?

I'm in Borlis Pass at the moment, and much like the earlier parts of the game I find myself bringing a full "party" every time I venture out.

I play a N/W (level 11) and my survivability is pretty good thanks to all the life stealing skills in the blood line, but even then I often run into what I feel are some pretty tought fights where I can't imagine coming out on top with a party of less than at least four characters (including myself) - usually I'm thankful that I can now bring six .

I really love the fast paced action in this game and that you often end up in huge fights (even though I try my best to pull as few mobs as possible - rarely works out too well ), but I have seen people say the bring only one or two henchmen or even solo in the true sense of the word.
How the hell do you manage that when you often end up in fights against 6+ mobs around your own level or a couple of levels below (or occasionally above for that matter)?
Even really good and experienced players would still be limited by just how many mobs they can have hammering down their health bar at once without dying. Or do I just suck at this?

Well, it's a lot easier if you aren't level 11 at Borlis Pass.

The people who solo are higher level than the areas they fight in. Anyone who tells you they fight 4+ equal level mobs solo is lying.

Not true, a monk ranger can solo 4 mobs of equal level...not sure about higher.

I killed the Bull in the Pond in pre-searing at Lvl 1 , but I he was a push over compared to fighting 4 lvl 2 Blood Sworn at level 8 (any class). Post-searing monsters are mean.

That's why I put 4+.

My Me/N can take four equal level mobs if he wants to, and I'm built as a life leech.

If I want to make enough gold and get enough materials for the next armor upgrade I think I need to solo "for real" . Just found out that not only do I need to figure in the armor cost, but I also have to pay a good chunk of gold to have other materials like steel made - not to mention that this requires a load of materials as well.

I think going back and whacking some charr with my "+25 damage to charr" hammer would probably be a good idea .

I bring Alesia and thats it

Depends on the exp I get, for example I went back last night and did quests that were level 4-8 monsters. (Im level 13) so I get no xp. I took 3 henchmen with me just to rush through them.

An AoE specialist can take out 4+ equal level mobs in the same amount of time he can take out a single equal level mob. The trick is, doing it in less time it than it takes them to kill you. (Easy, right? )

None. That's why it's called soloing.

A ranger can AE with Ignite Arrow, Dual Shot and Favorable Winds, with charmed pet dishing out extra damage and keeping the targets grouped. Not AE per se, but it still works

If monsters miss rangers as much as I do (Warrior) then they can probably solo 18 equal level monsters.

If you are missing rangers a lot, maybe stick in a wild blow.

Matt

Unfortunately my skill-spec does not have any room for it or I would for sure. Its just something I deal with that im not too great against rangers. Against casters though... fun time.

That sounds like either Dodge or Whirling Defense. In the first case, they can't attack you because that'd stop Dodge, in the second case, well, you can only use Whirling Defense once every 60 seconds, and with 7 points in expertise it only lasts for 14 seconds... great time for you to use Healing Signet or any other self buff / defensive skill instead of wasting those 14 seconds missing

I prefer the minion mob. i bring one monk and a warrior henchie

The first 2 groups of mobs are ruff, but most levels start out easy. I then pull out minions every chance i can and before i know it there are so many minions running around that no mob hurts me and my hienchies just offer extra protection.

I almost always bring a full team of henchman. I know every member cuts down loot and experience, but having extra henchies prevented so many more party wipes than I can count. For my playtime, less frustration at dying and repeating missions is always better.

Anyways, I'm at the Sanctum Cay mission and level 17. It doesn't seem like I'm short on experience since most people here are level 17 or even higher.

I am a Monk/Ranger and when fighting creatures a level or two above me I take a healer. Anything higher I take a monk, ranger, elementalist [the warrior aggros everything so I dont take him].

I'm trying to get thru the lands north of lions arch as a Me/Nec I'm somewhat required to take a full party to survive.

Get your Ne to put "Rigor Mortis" on them. or go /Ne and do it yourself.