You could join a clan and do battles vs other clans. Large clans can beat you down and ruin your experience. The online part is where other players can create bases and attack you. I started out on 'brutal' settings and reduced it a little when I hit level 60 to be evenly fair me vs the enemies (they were hitting so hard) but it is perfectly balanced now. I set Thrall and crafting time much lower (happens faster).
I set no loss of loot on death (it was buggy and I don't really miss it). On my personal settings, I set days, dawns and nights longer. (only cheat to build massive bases) it isn't so bad. You can cheat in sp mode but if you restrict yourself to not do that or limit it and never give yourself weapons, armor, items. They are adding new dungeons and content each patch. the challenge to build and over come in the world of harshness is a challenge. It can be lonely but once you accept that fact. Anything I build cannot be destroyed by griefers / other people.
I control the world, I control the server and settings. It can be hard being solo but I enjoy it for these reasons.
