Best Class combo to solo

Hello all. I just read about this game this weekend and it sounds pretty fun. I played EQ and SWG for a while. The problem I had with EQ was I wasn't able to solo. I work with people all day and sometimes I want to play but play alone but I like to play games with people in it(strange huh). Its I like to trade and talk to other people in towns but when it comes to an adventure, I'd rather take it alone. So, I was looking at maybe a ranger/monk or ranger/necro. Would these be good classes to solo? Is soloing hard to do? Are there areas impossible to solo? Would I be missing most of the game trying to solo? I know I have alot of questions, but I really just started reading about this game.

Thanks alot,
Fatoo

i have been told by the experts a ranger/monk is the best for survival solo with henchmen

SPOOKY has made it by himself without henchmen through the entire beta available territory

yes you can solo and due to circumstances of time i will have to do most with henchmen or solo

i like exploring and the missions ive done so far on betas and do not pvp

no reservations on recommending it for solo fun

Solo gaming can be done, but isn't recommended. When running solo your best bet would be to hire henchmen on your way out of towns to help you.
Some areas of the game are hard enough that you'd be better served running in a group of at least a couple players. The mindset of the game is to encourage team playing, whether it be in questing or in GvG. Besides if you run with a couple players you enjoy the company of and you all understand how each other fights, you can compliment each other and cover inherent weakness of the others. (every class has strengths/weaknesses that become more and more inherent the more you specialize and vice versa....the more your dilute the weaker your strengths). You need to find a median for yourself to survive. The bulk of this will come through experimentation on your part. If you wish to stay off on your own then by all means do so. There is no stigmata for being so inclined. Just remember to take your time and not rush yourself into any situations that you can't get out of. A little bit of foresight will go a long way. All in all, your best bet is to get acquainted with a couple people you trust and run with them in "on the spot pickup" party games when all or some of you are on. Run with like minded individuals and you will find that your small party is more amicable to you than you first thought.

Monk is required if you want to make a soloer. Also you want a direct damage type so you can kill. Basically you want a W/Mo, R/Mo or E/Mo.

AoEs are great for PvE. the ranger's Barrage works pretty well... But E/Mo is probably your best bet... Soloing isn't all that fun anyway though... It's mostly so you can rack up items and experience which Henchmen or other players get a share of.

advice Spooky was good enough to give me on why a ranger might be better solo with henchmen

The problem isn't so much that the enemy would fixate on the Elementalist, as it is how the henchmen AI would react to this situation. Once you cast on your target, the Warrior is going to rush in to engage it, which will bring the aggro of anything else in the area down upon you, and that's how you get yourself into a bad situation.
I recommended the Ranger because they have range superiority over an Ellie (using a Flatbow, for example) and because of AI changes, the henches are less likely to go running off at a distance to the target you attacked, instead, it's more likely that they'll come to you.

don't solo as a mesmer.... you just can't kill things, I agree with the poster above, the ranger/monk is the best solo -- with escape you can even run through heavily mobed areas to make it to the next zone; also, if you are going to solo, don't bring henchies, they just take your loot ;(

Thanks for the replys. I went to the builds section on this site and I didnt see a R/M combo. That had me wondering if it was a good combo. Maybe the powers that be on this site could put on there?

If soloing is a possibility, I think I will get this game!

Fatoo

i solo and as i said i have no reservations about the fun i will have

it may take me twice (thrice or more) as much time to do it but i like poking into every corner anyway

You're not he only one. I enjoyed just hiring henchmen as well. That way I didn't have anyone getting angry at me the fact that I did want to see every nook and crany, though as said before it will take you more tries than if you are in a party to begin with, henchman are not that smart. The pre-searing area is extremely easy to do by yourself in comparison.

Solo, meh, it feels pretty boring. If you really can't stand PUGs, play with guild mates or people on friend list.

i have to solo due to the fact i could be forced to leave at any time and it is not fair to the rest to say oops gotta go now and leave them cursing (deservedly) my name for leaving them

even friends get mad when you do that

pre sear is easy and i plan to be at least level 7 i think is top there before i leave it

i also plan to leave 1 character in pre searing just to keep looking around at every beautiful inch catacombs and all

how many hope to find a post searing enterance to the catacombs only to find they have changed into something out of nightmare with some interesting new creepy crawlies?

You have strange friends.

if you are barely holding your own with everybody in the group and you bug out and everybody remaining is wiped out i can see them being a bit miffed

no permanent mad but irritation for the circumstances happening

it is easier to enjoy at my own pace without worrying if i will have to let the others down

besides i like sp roleplaying games as well and this is more fun with some interaction

sp edip