You forget that solo players get solo options for most things, now. It's also an mmo. Playing with others is in the genre. You seem more bent out of shape because you feel like raiders somehow get something extra, and it's true! It's because raiders coordinate times and strategies to overcome challenging content. Unlocking the story via savage does not remove your progression through normal. It does not remove your normal loot. You'll never see these people because they will be in savage