Our server has not turned small group/raid based. Its still 100% soloable. It is gear based so a naked character is as strong as a naked character on live with mob stats not weakened. Instead we have custom bonuses on gear (see the server overview here:
http://eroticeverquest.proboards.com...erver-overview )
We have wiped/relaunched the server (really a brand new server now) with classic zones and classic spells and will be unlocking more expansions leading up to what we had for months (all expansions unlocked). We are still figuring if we will be unlocking expansions timelocked globally or through quests. We also do not allow boxing.
We also do not provide any starter gear/spells/quick exp anymore so it is much more hardcore then it was before and that has turned some people away. Pretty much all the issues listed here with solo servers are not present on the Vengeful Soloist. It is a long and harsh road to become powerful to solo bosses and is all about the work you put in to get there. To allow you to progress through a dungeon without downtime there is an instant 100% heal after 10 seconds out of combat but the encounters are very difficult until you get yourself better gear. (even then it is still difficult but doable)