Since the release of this game I have generally only played solo or with 12 friends in battle . net . Before LoD expansion the exp you gain divided evenly and there was no party exp bonus system . So if you played in big party the exp gain was very low . This encouraged to play solo or small group in public games . I still join public games and do things on my own . I don ' t like rushing etc . Ideal is that if I have a 6 player game I gain more exp and loot while doing quests or farming Exp in Act 4 . I don ' t also trade much at all . I used to do that in the early days but nowdays there isn ' t so many people to trade with in especially Classic HC . So pretty much self found or then we share some items with friends . I play Classic 90 % of the time because there are no powerful unique , set or runeword items . Rares are the best and only up to Exceptional quality . I like the fact that I can find a ring at level 2040 that can be really good even at level 80 . I also cannot use mercenary in Classic except a weak one in act 1 , 2 , 3 without any items . Merc is really powerful in LoD with all these auras