Nearest I can tell is that it's some kind of dungeon that spawns and is private for lack of a better word. Only you and your party will be in the same "instance" of that dungeon. Is this correct? Now, do these randomly spawn or do they have set locations? Can I do one at level 16 or are these meant for higher level characters?

Thanks

Instances are indeed like private dungeons. In older MMOGs, dungeons were public, so you had to fight over camp spots, etc...

A good description of what instances are is here:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/basics/instancing.html

Sounds like you have the concept reasonably well. There are only specific dungeons that are instanced. They will be marked by a swirling blue portal that you must walk through in order to enter them. Only you and your party (or raid at higher levels) will have access to the instance, so everything inside "belongs" to you and your group. Only specific dungeons are instanced, and typically instance dungeons are "elite" level (most mobs/creeps inside are flagged as elite). Some examples of instances are:

The deadmines, westfall
the stockade, stormwind
gnomergan, Dun Morogh
scarlet monestary, tirsfal glades

I think there are about 20 instances all together, including raid instances. Someone around here likly can post a complete list and what zones they are in. Hope this helps.

Basically, Blizzard's solution to the problem of camping specific quest NPC/items was to create the instance system. An instance is an area that has been specifically set aside for questing/item farming, and upon entering the instance, only you and your party have access to all the mobs, items, quests, etc. going on in that area. Instances are very firmly tied to a specific location, are filled with ELITE class monsters, and if you are entering at the level you are supposed to be entering it at, you would need a group to have any hope of survival. Depending on if you are horde or Alliance, and what your race is, there may be an instance near to you. Ragefire Chasm in Ogrimmar is a level 14-18 instance I believe. I'm not sure what level the Deadmines are for Alliance, however I am a Night Elf, so my first instance was Blackfathom Deeps, which is around level 23-28.

You will know an instance because it looks like a swirling vortex.

Fadė

You're correct, and yes, there is a level 16 instance. Instances are generally much harder, they contain elite bosses of the instances level. This means that you may damage them as much as any other level 16 npc, however, their hitpoints are much higher, maybe 50-100% on average. They also have a much greater tendency to proc specials, such as curses and diseases.

Instances are private to your party/raid group, as such no one may follow you in, or "gank" you in an instance that is not in your party/raid group.

As such, instances can be "reset" meaning you can complete an instance, leave the instance, reset your group in a different fashion, then reenter the instance and do again. This is beneficial for far away instances for example, shadowfang keep for an alliance character, in the early 20s, there is no better place to get cloth and some nice rings. However, it's a long trip and dangerous. Once there you may wish to "farm" it a few times.

Instances are completely designed to be tackled by a diverse group, usually 5 man teams can handle instances at near their level. Attempts at instances much more than 2-4 levels above your groups level may be best attempted in 10 man raid parties.

The instances are in set locations, you can search the web for maps of WoW that show the locations and basic npc levels for the individual instances.

Pickup groups are in game groups of players looking to perform the same instance/quest. You can find these in game by trolling the channel #3 generally, which is the looking for group channel.

The maps you may find on the net are very interesting. Some of the instance maps will show the bosses and what they generally drop as loot. This will allow you to find some great equipment for your level and earn it by playing the game instead of buying it at the AH. Also I would consider www.thottbot.com to be the single most inclusive site for information on equipment specifications and quest data. Some people in my guild used it to power level extensively. I chose to enjoy the game as a majority and try to figure out much myself, other than the equipment drops. Interestingly, I logged 32 days of play time to reach 60, 2 of the power leveling thotbots reached it in less than 18 days play time. So consider that before possibly spoiling the game for yourself.

I've heard some people have made it to 60 in 11 days play time.

Im working on a new server right now and so far have logged a little over 4 days. I'll post my progress as I get closer to the big six zero. I am currently around 2/3 of the way there.

Hmm... so is it possible to beat an instance (Boss and all) as a level 16?

Solo? not likely. The lowest level instance belongs to the horde, its around level 16 i think. Deadmines (17ish-21) only begins around then. I have never been in the hordes instance that level (never played horde). Instances are usually reserved for groups, and group-encounters. I don't think there are any "solo" instances in the game as of yet (not to say they wont add them later), unless you are well above the level range for which the instance is geared. A level 60 could solo deadmines easily, for instance.

Someone on our server made it in 8. I got my rogue to 60 in 12, but I was slacking. I also maxed his lockpicking, mining, and got engineering over 200 in that time frame. I also did a crap load of quests and instances to keep him geared/productive for his level range. It was fun and I switched Leaf over to enchanting at the same time, so all the crap I was getting while exping the rogue went to disenchanting.