A comment left by Argent on my article about the maximum amount of stamina got me thinking. How does player health stack and scale against NPC health? I quoted 17,500 unbuffed health as a good target for maxed unbuffed stamina, which equates to about 22,000 health fully raid buffed (possibly more depending on group, consumables, and talent composition).

So, let's take a look at what some mobs are that have around 22,000 to 23,000 health. Remember, this is as much as a fully equipped tier six warrior will probably have in raid.

• Archaedas, Level 40 Elite, Uldaman
• Princess Theradras, Level 51 Elite, Maraudon
• Timmy the Cruel (Timmeh!), Level 58 Elite, Stratholme Live
• Highlord Omokk, Level 59 Elite, Lower Blackrock Spire
• Magister Kalendris, Level 60 Elite, Dire Maul West
• Maleki the Palllid, Level 61 Elite, Stratholme Undead
• Novice Astromancer, Level 70, Tempest Keep the Eye (pulled in packs around Solarian)
• Culuthas, Level 70 Elite Demon, Netherstorm
  

If you want to just go by unbuffed numbers, some famous mobs that have around 17,500 health include:

When I first saw the tiny thumbnail of this screenshot in my mailbox, I wondered what new, cool instance it had come from. Obviously I hadn't seen it before -- those high-reaching columns of green light with a warm yellow glow coming from the ceiling in the middle. The unfamiliarity wasn't immediately dispelled when I clicked on the screenshot, though I can now tell you that the image came from the very heart of the Sunken Temple, right at the altar of the Blood God Hakkar.

I have been there before... more than once, in fact! But it is apparently one of Azeroth's instances that I've avoided so much as to be unable to recognize it without explanation. Fortunately, Kragragh of Ataraxis on Undermine, who sent this shot to us, also provided me with location information! (If I realized ST had such amazing ambiance, perhaps I'd visit more often. Maybe it's a sign that I need to upgrade my video card?)

Do you have a unique shot of Azeroth or Outland that you'd like to show off to the rest of the world? Tell us about it by e-mailing aroundazeroth@gmail.com! Or perhaps you'd just like to see more of your pics from Around Azeroth.

Sehojan from Khaz Modan over on the forums says he likens most of his ST runs to hell itself. A few others mention Gnomer, and I've had my share of bad runs in there, but lately BRD has been giving me headaches left and right. Here's a few tips to make your runs through instanced dungeons (some of my favorite stuff in the game) a little easier.

-Forget PUGs. I know, you've heard this before, but if you really want your instance runs to go well, pick up groups just aren't going to do it, period. Get yourself a guild (make sure it's not a "pickup guild"-- a quick test is to see if they have a website and forums), and it'll make instance runs much, much easier and more fun. If you have to have a PUG, try to stick to friends and people you've grouped with before. Random LFG is more like "looking for trouble."

-Study up. There are guides, maps, and strategy all over the place for every instance in the game (yes, even RFC). Look at them. Know the routes, know the mobs, know the quests-- where to go and what to do. Not only will it help the group go smoother, but it'll help you with looting, too. Things are much more fun when you know what loot to hope for-- and you get it.

-Have a leader. If you've done the studying, it's probably you, but the best way to make sure an instance goes well is to choose one person to lead and have everyone follow them. One person chooses a route, one person assigns targets, and one person calls pulls. Organization is the key (which is usually why PUGs don't work).

-Prepare! The boy scouts were right: Repair before you go into an instance. Get together to share quests and buff. Make water and food, make healthstones when needed, keep an eye on soulstones, shaman bring ankhs, locks bring shards, and hunters bring arrows.

-Be patient. There's a lot of reasons to get frustrated in instance runs: wiping, not getting the loot you want, people making mistakes, people leaving early. Don't let it get to you. If you do a few instance runs and things go south, go solo for a few levels, come back, and it might make all the difference in the world. Instances, especially high lore stuff like Maraudon, Scarlet Monastery, and the Sunken Temple can be some of the most fun parts of the game. Have fun in there, and don't fret the small stuff.

Instances can be tough, but when you're in there with a great group and you know what you're doing, they're definitely worth it. Following these tips will help you do just that.