How WoW's Solo Dungeons Are Fueling PvE Tensions

World of Warcraft’s last expansion, The War Within, now has a new solo dungeon system called Delves that offers players the flexibility to progress their characters with solo content. However, this player-friendly move is creating friction in WoW’s PvE space, particularly in the case of Mythic+ dungeons.

The Delves system is dedicated to solo players who want to explore mini-dungeons on their own. Players can acquire good gear up to level 616 (Heroic raid level) through these encounters, making it a pretty nice way to progress if you want to play independently.

Yet, it has inadvertently caused a major problem for the rest of the WoW community. Indeed, when players maxed out their gear potential in Delves at item level 616, these players naturally want to go into Mythic+ dungeons, where this gear can be further upgraded to item level 639. Unfortunately, this is not so easy.

So, what’s the problem?

The main concern is the fundamental disparity between Delves and Mythic+ gameplay styles. Delves are meant to be a low-pressure environment where mistakes can easily be fixed and individuals can move at their own pace. Mythic+ dungeons, on the other hand, require careful planning, a solid level of gameplay understanding, and, so to speak, a perfectionist attitude.

Typically, veterans Mythic+ players have learned progressively through a gradual learning curve. For instance, they are familiar with things like how each dungeon works, enemy types and the affix system that modifies dungeon challenges each week. New players who joined from Delves, despite having the necessary equipment to clear M+6s or even M+8s, don’t have that background, leading to a lot of friction between the two demographics.

A segregated progression system

According to content creator Bellular, these systemic issues force many Delve players into a game mode they neither understand nor enjoy (as they legitimately wish to continue advancing their character). Making the switch between Delves and M+ feels overwhelming, as players are suddenly tasked with punishing group dynamics and under tough time limits.

The two progression paths feel disjointed. Community discussions have put forth several recommendations, but each one has its own shortcomings. One idea that often comes up is that Mythic+ difficulties should have a lockout of sorts that requires completing them one by one.

A few avenues for improvement

Yet, this solution fundamentally suggests a reset of Delve players’ progression. Making them restart their gear progression through lower-level Mythic+ dungeons would just plain negate their already earned item level 616 gear. Doing this would change a potential solution to the current issue into another barrier somewhere else, penalizing players who have already spent time developing their character via the Delves. 

Optimally, the approach must acknowledge and respect both journeys. Players should be able to transition comfortably between Delves and M+, with each system providing worthwhile and meaningful pathways to character development. This is about making systems that value the skills and gear acquired in solo play while easing players into group content.

Another suggestion would be to extend the Delve system to gain equipment equivalent to that of M+. However, doing so would raise basic questions about what kind of MMORPG World of Warcraft is. MMORPGs have always thrived on player interaction. An attempt to create a completely self-sufficient progression path would damage the social fabric that has historically defined the genre. 

Being able to advance through solo-only content would obviously challenge the “massively multiplayer” nature of the game. Players going from start to end game gear without interacting socially is definitely not a desirable thing. MMORPGs are about creating interconnected experiences where players' paths naturally intersect to create emergent narratives.

The need for better game design

This broader conflict can be seen in contemporary game design as a negotiation between accessibility and social complexity. When it comes to solo players, there's nothing wrong with satisfying them to a certain extent. However, if we remove the absolute need for interaction between players, World of Warcraft will no longer be a living world but will lean even more towards a single-player game with optional multiplayer functions.

The answer does not lie in further separating these modes but in designing how they could more naturally augment each other’s solo and group content. Blizzard needs to create group content that is welcoming and informative rather than parallel progression paths that ultimately lead to a more fractured player base.

Integration instead of segregation

The main challenge will be making a progression system that feels rewarding and inclusive. The players should not be made to choose between solo or group content but should be encouraged to experience both as complementary activities. This requires a sharp design that values player time, respects different playstyles, and maintains the social roots of MMORPGs.

In other words, a good solution must create a connection between Delves and Mythic+ while not negating players’ existing progress.  We need to have more integration instead of segregation. Players should be able to use all the skills and gear they already have while being given help for more complex pathways toward group content.