Playing PoE solo or in a team? Which is easier?

[dom]

I have always been playing solo, and I am starting to find Act 3 & 4 difficult in cruel, and possibly Merciless. I have no problem in completing it, I am curious if I should try to find people who are in the same position as I am to help me get through to atlas.
I have only ever played a duelist up til lvl 65. Based on your experience, is it easier to go through levels in a squad?
Thank you.

[Rikkore]

I think a duo wont change anything. more than 2 mobs begin to have increased life 20% normal 40% cruel, etc. this is the same for the loot bonus as well but only 10% etc

[-]

It can be faster, people die if they don't have their stats updated to the current zone from time to time

Party rushing wp's in act 2 is the fastest way to do it

[Grumpy]

Solo is faster. Not all builds are equal and in group play, someone has a better or faster build, every time. This means one person lagging behind and eventually, no point playing as a team.

[Nodoka]

Solo > Party.

[Komakinox]

Yeah, I like group play but (and especially at this later stage of the league) people fly through maps so fast that like x2Madda says, you find yourself just whirling/leaping/shield charging, etc. just to keep up if you try to pickup loot you find yourself so far behind the group you may as well go solo.

But if you just go for XP and can keep up, it's ok.

[Grumpy]

Yeah, just to add to what Komakino said, if you JUST want xp and don't care about loot, parties are the best way, by far! If you want those juicy chaos orbs though, going to have to go solo i'm afraid.

You don't get more xp in a party but with bodies dropping left and right, you accumulate more xp...If, again, you can keep up.