In Defenders of the Cross it is best to train with a Party. A Party is a group of Defenders that joined up to get stronger or complete a task. Some of these parties are called Squads because they are on sent on special tasks for an Organization.
Anyone can create a party by inviting another defender. You can party with up to 10 other players and fight as a team. As your party fights as a team, the Party Level will increase. To invite another player, select their character then use the 'Party' skill found in your Skill window. You must also be within a 5 level difference from the other player you wish to invite.
Party Options
EXP Division allows the party leader to divide the Experience gain up by equal share (each party member receives the same amount) or distribution by level (the lowest level will receive the most, followed by the second lowest level, and so forth).
Item Earning Priority allows item drops to be set as Equal Loot Distribution -- when a party member is dropped an item, it belongs to them -- or Acquisition Order -- any party member can pick up an item drop, and it is given to the next person due to receive a drop.
Party Benefits
Once a party is formed, the Party Level will start to increase as party members defeat monsters (PvE).
At Party Level 10 your party can be a total of 7 defenders. At party level 50, you can add up to 10 players.
Party members will receive 1% extra experience from defeated monsters for every Party Level, up to a maximum of 50% extra (Party Level 50).
Party Buffs
Find a Cleric and receive special Party Buffs!
These are buffs that can only be given and received to players inside your own party. These are stronger than regular Cleric buffs and will be more beneficial to players in all environments.
Squad
Many Defenders constantly party with each other. Some are friends who entered the game together or people you just greet and stick with.
But there are those who only party with their comrades or with their close friends. Some of these start to distinguish their party. If they have enough game time as a party, and partake in the DOTC Story line they become a Squad. A squad is a party, they don't have to be in the same clan, that is constantly together and have enough fame to be sent on special missions by the organizations.