I’ve noticed, due to the lockout system, that any player 59 or below is unable to zone into the same instance with a level 60. Is this intended? Has anybody been able to run an instance with a combination of 50s and 60s in the group?
I enjoyed the system while leveling, but seems unfortunate that players are punished because they are slightly higher level than their friends.
It’s intended. Honestly they should probably disable the dungeon restriction at like 55+. But that’s just my thoughts.
It was stated in the HC info blurb that 60s cannot run with those below 60.
Before HC was released.
Agree, this is probably an oversight as some end-game dungeons (e.g. BRD) it’s totally reasonable to bring people that are 55-59. It’s even on the dungeon level recommendations. There’s also dungeons like maraudon that are useful even at level 60 for some classes, and 60s may be interested in running them for target gear, and it makes the most sense to do that with somewhat lower level people.
but in exchange, the groups are of balanced power levels, where everyone feels like they’re contributing and nobody is getting carried.
Think of it this way… HC is two versions of the game.
The two aren’t intended to mix, otherwise it starts to compromise the leveling part of the game. I realize this can be a bit cumbersome in the context of normal play, but HC isn’t supposed to be that experience.
I think Blizzard actually made a good call here… I can’t really see it working any other way.
Makes sense. Though it would be nice to maybe have the option to run both versions. Something like if you zone into an instance that has sub 60s in the group, you still get locked for the day as you would normally not being 60. That way you can still run some dungeons that a full groups of 60s would likely not run and not abuse the system.
Not a huge difference if I was 59 running with the same group especially this early on.
nobody is being punished
lvl 60 you get the privilege of no dungeon lockouts. this benefit does not magically flow to your non-60 friends 
I don’t mind this in general, but I feel like trying to run a ST at 60 to get my warrior quest shouldn’t be this restricted. In the end I don’t care so much, but it’s a bit strange that the dungeon is listed as 50-60 in group finder.