I have math problem aswell
I tried DDO, but it wasn't good solo experience. But still it makes me curious - I would think that with Path of Exile and other level autogenerated group content it would be pretty much dead end for MMOs, but still your group seems to be enjoying it a lot - why is that? You don't mind doing the same levels over and over with lower (even lower than LOTRO) quality of models and levels? This is really interesting for me - if I would be a manager in SSG, I would close it down as outdated and obviously I would do that because I don't play the game, so I don't know why it is good for someone. Judging from LOTRO I would say the classes are superb.
DDO is older than LOTRO, and graphically, it shows.
I decided not to play LOTRO because I rather cling to my "headcinema" I had when i was reading the books. I want them to be in my memory like that.
The group play is justfun to me, because it's … a bit like hanging around with folks you know well, know they won't be toxic, and just give you the feeling as if it is a good thing to follow a group's goal.
Because at the end of every quest, there's usually a chest, but the quests are often so designed that everything is just better - more fun - but also harder so that it requires a group effort - when playing as a group.
I solo DDO a lot, though, as well.
There are for example traps. Some are so deadly that a trapper is *required* to sghut them down.
A healer is required for heals, obviously.
For my personal taste, there still is too much fighting in it, too much like an Action-RPG. On the other hand, people most likely wouldn't want an MMO with only diplomacy and communication in it. It would go too far if I was trying why I believe this is so.
Of course, grouping is like a "bag of wonders" : You never know what you'll get. Ages ago, I was grouping regularly, but I just don't want that these days. It's a shame, really, because some things like the so-called "Challenges" are so much easier as a group.
There is "reincarnation", but for me, it's far, far away now. I don't plan to do that, and there is so much content in DDO that it takes a looooooong time to get throu everything. This can be challenging as well, though. Like … me trying to get to know *every* corner in the Castle of Barovia … It took me 4 hours … Or, last weekend, The Restless Isles … 2 looooooooong quests … several hours … because of the equally long way to that quest …
So far, I'm content with the content.
It's the only fantasy setting with pirates, and that makes it imho unique in my eyes.