Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsWhy aren't solo instances coming to WoW?
by Dan O'Halloran 
Aug 23rd 2007 at 4:30PM
Eldiron of the Silvermane server thought he heard a rumor that the dev team was considering implementing solo instances. Many players chimed in with their wish list for what could be accomplished in that: traps for rogues to detect and disarm; loot tailored to your class; making the instances accessible once daily. Other players pointed out that many classes can already solo old world instances like Blackrock Depths.
Finally, Community Manager Nathaera chimed in that there were no current plans for implementing solo instances in Warcraft. They consider instances as they place for group content and leave the solo content for the outdoor areas. Another blue explained in an earlier thread why designing this kind of content isn't a good use of developer time.
But what if they did consider this idea? What would you like to see in a solo instance?
Filed under: News items, Instances
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Jeremy Schweitzer Aug 24th 2007 8:30AM
I feel like the Shartuul event in Ogrila is a solo instance. I love it, its a really fun event!
Dothead Aug 23rd 2007 5:38PM
I really think a Solo Instance would be a good thing. Think of it as like the daily quests we do everyday as it is. Add something interesting, with a cool story, and a chance for loot. Maybe even add a new badge system and a vendor just for the solo instances. There is only so much you can do end game, and pvp gets old after you have all the gear.. I have 5 level 70's, and don't want to make another one. Give me something else to do besides raid once, or twice a week.
Something that might be cool is to implement them into the old world. Scholo, Strat, Lbrs/Urbs, etc. Just make it to where you set the difaculty to Solo instead of normal or heroic, and have it load the dungeon just like a heroic dungeon would load, but with solo content. Wouldn't be that hard to do. with the $40 Million + A quarter that Blizzard is earning they definalty have the resources. the Old world needs revamped and it's the perfect way to do it.
dakotareese Aug 23rd 2007 5:49PM
I would actually love it if it took a solo & class specific instance to unlock hero classes.
My main is a hunter and I loved the challenge of the hunter epic quest. The fact that it was something that tested me as a hunter and I was forced to do it alone (cough, cough)...except for friends kiting mobs away and a few buffs/ rezzes when things went bad.
Nonetheless, I want more challenges like that. I often solo group quests to get the same kind of enjoyment. As far as gear, who cares? It would be about the challenge, and not gear (i.e. no charity epics).
Make it grindable for a title or maybe a tabbard...just give us more challenges specific to our class. Wipe all buffs on zone in, and make us maximize the talents that define our class.
DVL Aug 23rd 2007 7:34PM
I kind of consider the Shartuul event to be a solo instance; yes it's not an instance, but it's almost like one.
Steve Aug 23rd 2007 7:00PM
i would play wow again if there were solo instances.
Isaiah Aug 23rd 2007 7:14PM
Class Quests that might give a class reward like the level the level 40(?) Warrior quest where you get the cool 2H Axe. Or make it so you can unlock a new spell level or ability.
Isaiah Aug 23rd 2007 7:31PM
I like the idea of making a Trail Instance that tests you like the Hunter Quest, but make it an instance so you don't get outside help and wipe all buffs on zone in. Tons of game play Ideas for this could be fleshed out. To unlock accesses to the new expansion you have to pass the (your class here) trial. It could be a solo instance or you could make it so you are adding an NPC or group of NPCs where they need your class to help them complete their quest and save the world. At the end they thank you and reward you with (class item here). It could be done very easy, and it would be a lot of fun for a lot of people. Not everyone has the time for a 5 man or friends/guild to do it, so it would keep them playing (paying) longer. More game play options can't be bad.
Freehugz Aug 23rd 2007 7:40PM
The whole "point" of solo instances would be to make it challenging. Not something you would really farm. Currently, if you don't have the gear/skill to do something you just bring along your geared/skilled friends and have them run you through.
I think DK presents a great way to do a solo instance. If I were a developer I'd make a solo DK instance as part of the chain quest to unlock it. That way everyone HAS to do it, and everyone has the same challenge.
WatcherZero Aug 23rd 2007 9:33PM
My sole experience of single player instances comes from D&D online, in that they were fun little distractions but they have to be balanced for every single class, the instances in that game for the most part wernt so that a paladin typle could clear with extreme easy wearing heavy armor and healing himself with good melee dps, whereas a mage class with light armor had an extremely tough time and required heavy consumables.
Kabal Aug 24th 2007 2:53AM
I was gonna mention the Shartuul event too!
Todd Aug 24th 2007 9:39AM
Apparently Blizzard still needs to discover what is a good use of developer time. Fix current world shit, not abandon to make a new expansion.
"Other players pointed out that many classes can already solo old world instances like Blackrock Depths."
What? Clothies don't stand a chance. Rogues are a given.
Kimberly Aug 24th 2007 10:15AM
I'm biased towards instances being group content. However, just last night, my group of online friends included 7 rather than a more usual 4-5. I made the comment that I wish instances were more flexible, that you could bring in 4 or 7 and it would scale. Pipe dream I'm sure. 3 person instances would be great. Going off on a tangent now but I loved doing outlands quests on my warrior with my 2 good warrior buddies, then we hit 70 and never got to see each other again in any instance content. WoW should be better at allowing friends to have content together even if their classes don't mesh perfectly. It would be nice if you just happened to have a perfect set of friends: healer, tank, 3 dps, including 2 cc and a hybrid dps/healer, but how often does that happen?
Queuetip Aug 24th 2007 11:57AM
As a Frost Mage, I'm always looking to solo bigger and badder stuff. Most instances are soloable now up to the first boss or so. It would be very fun to try an instance where the bosses and trash had weaknesses made for your class so they could be done with skill. I wouldn't care about the loot, just playing it would be reward enough.
With that said, I'd much rather the developers focus on normal content (zones, raids, items). A solo instance would be last on the list. Still fun to think about though.
J Aug 29th 2007 2:39PM
If you want solo dungeons, go play Oblivion.