Instance Dungeon s , keep s , and other confined areas can have sub - areas called instances ( aka instance dungeons ) . These instances are special areas in " World of Warcraft " where your group or raid party is able to interact with a dungeon privately ; that is , without interference from other parties or raid s . It is also a respite from the global PvP environment on a PvP server . Instances also include scenario s which tend to feature smaller player groups or something similar to group phased content . The term " instance " has been often conflated and interchanged with the term dungeon . Instance dungeons tend to feature the most difficult and rewarding content , both in terms of enemies and items , but also in terms of level design . Most mobs inside the instance are elite , with the exception of some mobs , and perform well above their level . Instances feature multiple boss es , all with special abilities and immunities . Getting through an instance normally requires a well - trained and well - balanced group of players who are of an appropriate level for the challenge . Lower level instances can be soloed by a higher level character . While an interesting challenge , most drops will not be particularly useful anymore . However if wearing a tabard , a great deal of reputation can still be earned , as can the achievements for passing the instance . Keep in mind that soloing an instance usually requires a player to be about 25 - 30 levels higher than the minimum requirement , with high - quality equipment . Legion instance release schedule . Schedule : Instance difficulties . As with most things in the game , instances have a range of difficulties usually tied to group size and relative to the expansion area the zone is located in . In general order of difficulty : Average item level recommendations . " These recommendations are for average item level for Dungeon Finder , Raid Finder , or Scenario Finder . " Farming for gear . Instances are often farmed for gear by having a high level character tank a low level character through the instance ; either a friend or for a fee . Boss drops typically BoP , so the lowbie has to be present . The lower character is going to get a lot of XP in the instance . If building a twink you will need to plan for this ; start farming as soon as you are able and be selective which instances you farm . XP is not your friend ( twinks ) ; you want " as little " as possible so that you can continue to farm without ding ing past your goal level . You should focus on specific gear and bypass kills you don ' t need . Note , however , that this is less of an issue since patch 3 . 2 and the ability to turn off experience completely . Whereas formerly creating a twink took careful planning of gear attainment and experience gain , the main limiting factor now is initial experience gain to the desired level . Game mechanics . Because instances are in effect separate from the actual main World of Warcraft maps such as Eastern Kingdoms , Kalimdor , Outland , and Northrend , much like the Battlegrounds , players too are literally moved from one part of the map to an artificial creation of the main map sections . However this is not to suggest that Blizzard did not go to the effort of re - creating instance geography and terrain within the main maps . Areas like Zul ' Farrak are fully constructed within Tanaris though it is impossible for players to enter this area without any way to climb over the hills . This is a rarity since in order to save processing power and make the world smoother to run without rendering useless features that no one would ever see , Blizzard creates a " false " portrayal of the instances such as Shadowfang Keep where only what the player sees is worth rendering . Another difference worth noting is that within instances , the corpses of boss characters will remain intact for 1 hour to ensure that players do not miss out on loot . Because map viewers allow players to see everything there is within an instance , it is revealed that instances will include the sections before the instance gates itself to give a feeling of authenticity that they are leaving one world and can look back to see where they came from . Such is the case with all instances . Some bugs can allow the user to see what actually is available , for example , Mages can Blink past the instance portals in many places and see what is beyond , like the entrance to Stratholme on the dead side . Cross - realm grouping . Blizzard may allow cross - realm grouping sometime after Patch 4 . 1 . Faction specific instances . Ragefire Chasm and The Stockade . These are instances located on the capital city for each faction ( Ragefire Chasm in Orgrimmar and The Stockade in Stormwind ) , and as such it used to be very difficult for opposite faction characters to get to the entrance at an instance - appropriate level ( about level 15 for Ragefire Chasm and level 25 for the Stockade ) without the help of other max level characters . However , if they get there , they can enter through the portal . Since Patch 3 . 3 . 0 appropriate level characters can use the Dungeon Finder feature to gain access to these dungeons , regardless of faction . There is an achievement called which requires doing both of these . Unless the character used the opportunity to complete them at the appropriate level through the Dungeon Finder , this would typically be done at near max level or with the help of others at max level . While the instance will be trivial , getting in will not be . A group of max level characters can race past the guards . Fighting your way in is an option , but you are then essentially raiding the opposing capital , so be prepared . Rogues or druids can stealth in ; and there are summoning stones near the entrance , so a small stealthed group can summon others . See also other Dungeons & Raids achievements