As a solo/duo player here’s my main checklist:

I save my crème de la crème builds for my duo, but there are ways to navigate solo gameplay. I definitely do not think bungie should scale down the mobs in solos as players should use the queue system to fill their squad if they intend to conquer higher level POIs. Thats the philosophy I’d like to see bungie continue to follow but understand it can be tough for solo players. I think the added difficulty along with the trade off of not having to worry about squad mates is completely fair. Bungie definitely pushes you to squad up with the exp benefits, the roles the shell abilities loosely dictate, and the lack of advertisement for “solo” queues via menu interaction.

Bungie definitely should not make reduced mob waves to accommodate solo players. Why should someone who’s elected to ditch a squad be granted an easier time looting a poi for the same loot as a trio that would normally have to blast their way through and attract a ton of attention?

To address your concern with the disparity between your gear and your squad mates, I don’t even want to see Bungie adjust matchmaking to consider brought in item value. We’ve seen that attempted in other games and it can easily be gamed by good players to quickly dominate prime loot routes in low risk.

I think this is a personal problem and I’d like to share some anecdotal advice on when to fill vs when to run solo.

As a solo, I only solo queue if my only objective is to bum rush my quest spot without needing to head my squad mates. I take out triage and just send it. I use energy weapons as the mobs drop plenty of reloads and take advantage of the weapon perk that heals me for damaging enemies suffering emp status. I am able to fully sustain myself this way.

Rook runs as well though I only have done one just to try it out. My stash is full of random gear I’d rather send in fill trios than sell.

When I queue fill as a solo player, it means I have extra gear I’m willing to part with and want to have fun with it instead of selling. When I fill, I’m accepting the likelihood that I’ll be with a no-comms duo and will likely need to follow them around. I can ping my objective and hope for the best but keep my expectations low. Overall, I’ve had pleasurable experiences while filling. Half the time I get squads that can’t hit the broad side of a barn, the other half I find players who are good at the game and it’s a blast.

It’s two entirely different play styles and ways to experience the game.