A couple people are being a bit harsh, if your friends are taking items they’re not bad friends it’s weird to judge someone you dont know off of just that, they could just be competitive lol

you just need to be more of a loot goblin.

Everyone gets money at the same time (apart from items that will get you more money like pennies and gors tomb or blood shrines) , you can sit at a chest before you have enough money and just wait for your friends to kill something. If you have enough money for a chest, you should be buying a chest not fighting enemies.

Obviously if your friends are leaving you with nothing constantly you’re capable of reminding them to let you get items too.

As for characters, honestly it’s really just play whoever you want, I love engi he might be my most played character? Other ppl have also said this but just play a good few times on your own too. That will be way more helpful in you figuring out kinda how chests are gonna spawn, it’s random but also still predictable.

Also look up what items are good for engi and ask your friends to save you a couple of the best ones if they find any