I've had numerous firsts in multiplayer (always with friends), including the Elder, swamps, and Bonemass, so I've had an easier time, as far as knowledge goes, in single-player when I've not had to learn everything on my own.

About splitting up to do different things, one additional advantage is has is the fact there is no lag when the game switches to "single-player mode" once you're far enough from the others. If your multiplayer is laggy like mine (I'm the only European in our group) then it's nice to go off on one's own to gather food or wood or do whatever.

Overall, everything that is fun in single-player (which to me is more or less every single thing) is at least doubly so in multiplayer.
Combat is, indeed easier, as strength in numbers is more significant than the stat boosts enemies get.
Also, it's simply more fun to fight in a group, and even dying can be amusing.
I know we often laugh at at least the sillier deaths, such as getting shot with a lethal arrow while entering a dungeon (tombstone and corpse ended up inside the dungeon).

Definitely worth a try if you do have friends who also own the game. You have nothing to lose by trying.

it's basically the same but with 2-10 people (or more if you mod the game and extend this number).
usually when you play in multiplayer there are 2 options:
1) you go separately. meaning each does his stuff. then it's the same as single player but with more resources (for example you can find some copper and tin, while other players chopped some wood and got some meat\leather)
2)you go together: monsters become a bit more beefy (40%hp and 4%dmg per player iirc) but you have more people to deal damage. and you can do different things in combat: someone shoot from afar. someone tries to tank with shield. and someone is sitting afk nearby cuz he had a phone call.
2.1)as an exception there is another option: you may play mostly separately, but when someone dies(or you want to kill the next boss or build something) you gather together and do your stuff.

ps: multiplayer imho is best played with friends and\or voice. joining randoms may be harmful cuz they might happen to be griefers

Originally posted by Slynx Jewel:

it's basically the same but with 2-10 people (or more if you mod the game and extend this number).
usually when you play in multiplayer there are 2 options:
1) you go separately. meaning each does his stuff. then it's the same as single player but with more resources (for example you can find some copper and tin, while other players chopped some wood and got some meat\leather)
2)you go together: monsters become a bit more beefy (40%hp and 4%dmg per player iirc) but you have more people to deal damage. and you can do different things in combat: someone shoot from afar. someone tries to tank with shield. and someone is sitting afk nearby cuz he had a phone call.
2.1)as an exception there is another option: you may play mostly separately, but when someone dies(or you want to kill the next boss or build something) you gather together and do your stuff.

ps: multiplayer imho is best played with friends and\or voice. joining randoms may be harmful cuz they might happen to be griefers

Thanks! It does seem like it would be fun to try out a multiplayer playthrough after I've actually "completed" my solo one based on what you've said. I know about the griefing thing, which is why I'll likely just chill with some friends if they do have the game on PC. Have a nice day, m8!