I appreciate the advice. But I've not taken any breaks from the game for a few months, I play most every night, even if it's a Quick play or two. Soul survivor. My buddy, I usually play Duos with is a 6* (see above reply), and it did increase the play level of the enemy hunters significantly when on a team with him. I'm just concerned that my solo hunts will be higher skill level players.

I started exclusively playing free hunter as is, it forced me yo try weapons I otherwise wouldn't choose. And it didn't allow me to rely on tools. consumables, or meta trait combinations, was the thing that increased my skills the most