Goin' solo isn't as scary as ya think! Enemies go down much faster, havin' less health than they would if ya were with someone. All materials ya find are definitely yours, along with any vials or pills ya may pick up. I hear that you can also get more crowns when ya solo, but I've yet to see that be proven.

The only glaring problem is you become the only target for all enemies, and you'll have to use Energy to revive if ya wanna get back up from fallin' down. But with the abundance of health capsules, and enemies havin' less health, it might not be too bad!

When ya become more skilled, Arenas and Danger Rooms will seem like viable rooms to head towards, especially since ya get a MASSIVE amount of crowns and heat from them.

Like mentioned before, those endless waves of enemies... die very fast.

See, most enemies, when you're solo, die in a three hit combo, unlike in parties. If you have UV's or the right damage type, then enemies will STILL die in a Three-hit combo as you go down though the tier. If you don't, then they might take 4-6 hits in the deeper strata, but that's still not too bad.

The Caliber's charge attack will be very helpful; it has large knockback that will keep enemies away from you while doing a lot of damage. That's important for arenas! The Firotech can give the fire status, which is good for Damage over Time, and playing keep away with enemies that you'd rather not get too close to.

It is worth it. Nothing like getting that mat that you need for you next weapon... and you need not worry about a group of bad teammates. You also have FULL control over where the enemies are- no lumbers getting thrown into your face.

There... are times when you get boxed in by enemies, and thus more or less doomed. This happens, but it's rare if you know what you're doing- for example, you'll learn to be carrying stun vials! Get surrounded? Take out the vial, and watch them scatter! Then you run out of there. This... usually happens on arenas.

And, remember- you have breathing room to practice. If you have 100 mist energy, this means you have 2 free revives in T2, while still being able to complete an entire 8 floors for T2.

Ya can do it! Just try!

Just pick the T1 gate that has the most arenas and practice running solo in T1 first. Solo is way easier then running in a PUG (most of the time). You will cut through T1 like a hot knife through butter. If you manage the whole run including all three rounds of the arenas and all the danger rooms you pass, then it is time to step up and try it in T2. Another way to practice is to run the first section of T2 (stratum 3) solo with the party locked, then unlock your party at the terminal if you are uncomfortable running stratum 4 solo.

If you are running a 2 weapon loadout I highly recommend Calibur line and Blaster line leaning heavily on the Calibur's charge as already pointed out. An elemental gun is the best sidearm for a swordsman because they typically just shot turrets (weak to elemental), but for solo I found that I liked a Normal damage gun that I could move while firing. This can be a lifesaver for situations where you are low on health and need to kite kill some wolvers (strong to elemental) or any other enemy.

*Calibur charge tip* As soon as you start charging press your shield button. Then after you are charged only release the action button. This way you shield the instant the charge finishes.

Also, note that if you are shielding, then press and hold your action button you will be charging as soon as you release the shield button. Some people like to charge without making that first swing, I prefer to hit the nearest enemy with that first swing, kite herd the enemies in a small loop and release the charge in the middle of them and shield bump through any survivors. Rinse and repeat. (reminder that Calibur charges should be used carefully when in parties)

Because you can take as much time as you need when solo, you can transfer any pills you dont use next to the party button so they wont get lost when you step on it. You still cant take them down elevators, but theyre useful for things like danger rooms and the last room of arenas

I have been solo since I started. Sometimes for a challenge, I bring along my three dead weight partners. Just to give those monsters a chance. T1, means nothing to me. T2, still owns me when I am solo though. But, my loadout trio will show them who's the boss.