Good morning! I have seen Explorer Mode as a major ask throughout the years via multiple communities. It would be such a boon for roleplayers, content creators and loremasters to have these places to frequent should they wish. I cannot imagine it would be difficult to implement, given the content (raids/dungeons) is already created.
Please read and consider the below. It would be a massive win and morale boost for the often-overlooked first group (roleplayers) as it directly impacts what they do in the game with their subscription, and provides vibrant options.
What is Explorer Mode? (FFXIV Wiki Explanation)
“Explorer Mode allows players to explore previously completed dungeons freely. Using Explorer Mode, players can take their time to enjoy the scenery of their favorite dungeons with no enemies or obstacles to ruin their fun. It allows players to revisit dungeons in their completed state. With this mode enabled, a player can mount up and ride around the dungeon. And with no hostile creatures to bar their path, a player can roam and take screenshots to your heart’s content.”
Why & Who?
Incorporating an Explorer Mode into World of Warcraft’s dungeons and raids would provide an exceptional opportunity for roleplayers to expand their activities, allow players to fully immerse themselves in the game’s lore and visuals, and foster content creation for machinima and videos/screenshots in general. Ultimately for roleplayers, it would enhance the roleplayer experience and provide a more diverse range of areas for players to explore and enjoy in their own storylines and crafted campaigns.
Groups of Players Who Would Enjoy an Explorer Mode: Roleplayers, Content Creators, Loremasters & More
Roleplayers
Roleplayers thrive on immersive environments to bring their characters and stories to life. By offering an Explorer Mode, players will be free to explore content without the constraints of clearing the dungeon/raid beforehand if they already have an achievement for said content. This feature would open up a vast array of new areas for roleplayers to organize events, engage in character interactions and showcase a creative use of these new locations for their craft. It would significantly expand the possibilities for roleplaying communities in World of Warcraft.
Most recently, my guild had to clear out an Uldir before starting our weekend campaign. Because of this, bosses had to be killed in specific places so as not to interrupt the event planned (IE A dead boss randomly sitting by a Titan console we want to use in the event, and so on and so forth). It is often difficult because the bosses melt quickly with a full, max-leveled group going ham on a deprecated boss. Furthermore, it is not an efficient use of anyone’s time if no one desires loot or boss kills but the environment of the raid.
Implementation
It would be fantastic not to go through the above hurdles. My proposed method of implementation:
- MODE ADDITION: Add a mode that would appear in addition to the dropdown of Normal, Heroic and Mythic.
- CURRENT CONTENT RESTRICTIONS: The mode shall not appear for any raids in the current expansion UNLESS the person’s account has cleared that dungeon or raid before. That way there is no unfair advantage gained in raiding.
- DEPRECATED CONTENT: Remove the requisite of having previously cleared the dungeon or raid if it is NOT from the current expansion.
Wrap-Up & Conclusion
Please consider adding an Explorer Mode on behalf of the roleplay community and content creators alike, as well as lore enjoyers who would love to adventure a raid and appreciate its homage to Warcraft’s decades-long storyline. The amount of diverse locations of the dungeons and raids constructed in the game is insurmountable and would add so much content for these groups of individuals, and more.
Thank you for reading. Shorel’aran, friends! 
