Grouping is an Essential Part of the Game

A new blog post on the Ashes of Creation site details how grouping will function in the game. It is the first in a two part series dealing with the topic, this first post covering the basics. While soloing is viable, according to the post, the team is looking to put the "massive" back in Massive Multiplayer. As a result, base party size will be up to 8, thereby allowing "us to really amplify party roles and to create a need for each of the archetypes in every party".

Other interesting snips of information:

• creative encounters built around specific roles 
• rewarding well-rounded parties for diversity and inclusion
• traditional loot rules -- the party leader sets the rules and can choose a Lootmaster, go "round-robin" or need/greed
• traditional roles of Tank, DPS, Support will be included, but secondary classes will bring further extension to the basic role. Flexibility of character growth is key

Read the full post on the Ashes of Creation site.