Instance

An instance is a special area, typically a quest area, that generates a new copy of the location for each player or group that enters the area. Players cannot see other players in instanced areas unless it a group instanced area - in which case the group cannot see any other groups.

Instanced areas can take place in entirely new areas that cannot be accessed without the instance or in areas that are normally not instanced.

The abilities Surge, Escape, and Barge cannot be used in an instance, except when fighting Vorago, the Kalphite King, or the upgraded Barrows brothers.

Examples of instanced areas include:
 * Quest boss areas; for example:
 * Nomad
 * Queen Black Dragon
 * Pest Queen
 * Delrith
 * The Ritual site during the battles of Ritual of the Mahjarrat
 * The Handelmort mansion front garden while battling the Wild jade vine in Back to my Roots
 * Many quest areas; for example:
 * The lower levels of the Elemental workshop
 * Nomad's temple
 * Varrock during Defender of Varrock
 * Dream World
 * Dungeoneering
 * Some after-quest bosses: Bork, Skeletal Horror, Phoenix Lair
 * Some past tutorials: Learning the Ropes and Unstable Foundations

Instance shard worlds
Instance shard worlds are special worlds (or servers) that have been sharded off from the rest of the servers. They cannot be accessed via the world select screen. Currently, only the TzHaar Fight Pit, Flash Powder Factory, Crucible, Burthorpe Games Room, Big Chinchompa and all Clan Citadels are located on instance shard worlds.