Question about how the servers work

[Fangarr]

I have a friend I like to game with, but we also like to advance on our own when the other person isn't around. Seems like we have a few choices with V Rising. We are PvE players and neither of us has a set up than can run a server 24/7.

1) We both join the same official PvE server.
2) We set up a friends only server through a provider (this means ongoing cost for the server)
3) We just play solo on local servers.

If we choose option 3, is it still possible for us to join the other person's game when we are both online? Like maybe to kill a boss together? Any other choices I am missing?

[Shuriko]

If you are the one hosting a local server and you happen to be offline.
Your friend cant enter the local server since your pc is offline and logged out of the game.

[Suzaku]

Your characters are part of the server, so if you both run your own local servers, you'll have to progress each character on each server individually. Fortunately, character strength is linked to your equipped gear, so if one of you gets ahead of the other, you can just have them craft better gear for the other. You'll still need to go out and kill bosses to unlock new tech and spells, though.

[Fangarr]

Great, thanks for that insight, seems workable.