Skip to content

Instanced PvE Overview

Instanced PvE Overview

At a glance

Compare five groups of instanced activities (dungeons, fractals, raid encounters, raid wings, and Convergences) and find a starting point.

What is instanced content?

Instanced activities take place on a separate map with defined objectives. Private instances are for your party or squad; public instances such as Convergences bring you together with other players.

Why do instanced content?

  • Distinct rewards: earn unique skins, currencies, and equipment that can be difficult to obtain in the open world.
  • Challenging combat: learn boss patterns and share responsibilities.
  • Clear objectives: work toward a specific goal, such as defeating a boss.
Choose an entry-level instance
Try dungeon story modes while leveling, then low-scale fractals at level 80. Fractal scales 1–19 and quickplay do not require Agony Resistance (AR), making them good entry points with exotic gear.

Five groups at a glance

These are five useful groups to compare as a beginner. Raid encounters and wings now belong to the same Raids system; they are separated here to explain their different structures.

Dungeons Fractals Raid encounters Raid wings Convergences
Group size 5 players 5 players 10 players 10 players Up to 50 players
Starting level 30~80 80 80 80 80
Gear Level-appropriate equipment Exotic is fine for scales 1–19 Exotic is fine Exotic is fine Exotic is fine
Expansion Not required (core) Not required (core) Varies; some are free HoT / PoF / JW, depending on wing SotO / JW / VoE
Quickplay No Yes (scale 1) 8 selected encounters No quickplay for full wings No
Main rewards Dungeon currency and skins Fractal Relics and AR infusions Magnetite Shards, LI LI, Magnetite Shards Weapons and runes
Difficulty Easy to moderate T1 easy to T4 challenging Moderate to challenging Challenging Moderate to challenging
Reward schedule Daily Daily Weekly kills + daily bounties Weekly kills + daily bounties Daily, weekly, and repeat rewards
How to enter Form a party through LFG LFG or quickplay LFG or quickplay Form a squad through LFG, a guild, etc. Scheduled Public entry / organized Private group

Each activity in one sentence

  • Dungeons: five-player content you can begin with AC story at level 30.
  • Fractals: start at scales 1–19. Agony begins at scale 20, so prepare AR before moving higher.
  • Raid encounters: ten-player content centered on individual encounters, ranging from easier normal modes to very difficult challenge and legendary modes.
  • Raid wings: several bosses and intermediate events. The weekly Emboldened wing starts you with one stack; a failed attempt lasting at least 20 seconds adds another stack to help the group.
  • Convergences: up to 50 players. Join during a Public entry window without a premade party, or organize a squad for Private mode.

Where should I start?

Choose a step that fits your character's progress.

1
While leveling: dungeon story mode
Start at level 30 with Ascalonian Catacombs (AC).
2
Newly level 80: fractal scales 1–19 or quickplay
Quickplay is fixed at scale 1. Regular scales 1–19 also need no AR, so you can start with exotic gear suited to your build.
3
After learning your skills with exotic gear: raid quickplay
Automatic matchmaking and the Quickplay Morale effect help you get started. Expansion ownership is not required.
4
When comfortable: explorable dungeons, T2–T3 fractals, or raid training
Prepare AR from fractal scale 20 onward and check the recommendation for your chosen scale in the selection window. For raids, look for teaching groups under LFG → Raids (Training).
5
With an expansion: Convergences
SotO provides Outer Nayos, JW provides Mount Balrior, and VoE provides Nexus of Eternity. Join the relevant Public entry window to play with up to 50 people.
Best First Step
At level 80, try fractal quickplay first. You can start without AR; equip suitable gear and skills, then follow the objectives.

What is quickplay?

Automatic matchmaking lets you join without writing an LFG listing. It works differently for fractals and raids.

Fractal quickplay

  • Fixed at scale 1, so no AR is required.
  • Randomly selects from 10 fractals.
  • Quickplay Boost provides help such as automatic revives, checkpoint teleports, and assistance with puzzles.
  • Awards Fractalline Dust.

Raid quickplay

  • Available through LFG → Raids (Training).
  • Available regardless of expansion ownership.
  • Randomly selects from 8 encounters.
  • Quickplay Morale helps with increased damage, damage reduction, and life siphoning.

Quickplay limitations

  • Fractal quickplay does not increase your personal fractal level.
  • Raid quickplay does not count toward regular Daily Raid Bounties or Weekly Raid Encounters. It has its own weekly achievement.
  • Matchmaking groups players without assigning roles. Coordinate healing and boon support with your party after joining.
  • You cannot choose a specific encounter; selection is random.
  • Normal raid collection items do not drop in quickplay. For items such as the siege turtle's Thruster Control Unit, complete the corresponding normal encounter.
Moving beyond quickplay
Use quickplay to learn the basics, then try normal mode. To raise your personal fractal level or target a specific raid boss or collection, join a group that opens the instance you need.

Are raid encounters different from raids?

Both are ten-player content in the Raids system. Encounters center on an individual fight, while wings group several fights together. Difficulty depends on the boss and mode.

Raid encounter Raid wing
Previous name Strike Mission Raid
Name change Merged into Raids in February 2026 Unchanged
Structure Individual encounter; structure varies by boss Several bosses and intermediate events (wing)
Difficulty Varies widely by boss and mode Complex mechanics and coordination
Quickplay Only encounters in its selected pool Not available for a whole wing
Connection to solo story Some bosses also appear in separate story battles Regular wings are ten-player content

What are KP and LI?

  • KP (kill proof): boss rewards used to demonstrate prior experience.
  • LI (Legendary Insight) is a wallet currency used in raid-related legendary crafting. Legendary Divination (LD) was retired and merged into LI.
  • The items and currencies are actual game rewards. Requiring them as proof of experience when recruiting is a community practice.
  • Quickplay has no KP/LI requirement. For training groups, read the listing's experience and role expectations.
What if a guide calls it a strike mission?
Older strike mission guides cover what are now raid encounters. Their boss mechanics may still help, but the 2026 unification changed entry UI, currencies, and weekly reward rules. Use current information for those details.

Dragon Response Missions and Convergences

Dragon Response Missions

A useful option for practicing instanced combat.

  • For 1–5 players, with difficulty scaling to group size.
  • Requires PoF and the Icebrood Saga episode Champions.
  • Playable solo, so you can practice on your own.
  • Three phases: preparation → defense → boss.
  • Rewards include Tyrian Defense Seals and Volcanic Stormcaller weapon skins.
  • There are 10 missions, accessed through the Ancient Gate in the Eye of the North.

Convergences

Large instances for up to 50 players.

  • Outer Nayos requires SotO; Mount Balrior requires JW; Nexus of Eternity requires VoE.
  • At scheduled Public windows, join other players without a premade party. For Private mode, form a squad first.
  • Check the boss rotation for Outer Nayos and Mount Balrior. Organized Private groups can attempt harder challenge modes (CMs).
  • Rewards include expansion-specific crafting materials, daily chests, and unique skins. Supreme Runes of Holding are rare chance drops.
  • Alongside daily chests and weekly achievements, repeat participation awards rewards. Details depend on the Convergence and mode.