Battle for survival

A battle for survival is a Boss fight where each individual player's survival is the most important aspect. Battles for survival tend to be grueling encounters with long enrage timers (or even none at all). Such fights typically require all raid members evade avoidable damage, force the healers to keep the whole raid up through unavoidable damage, and may also feature random or hard to control aggro. Sometimes designated players will be required to perform extra duties, such as kiting for instance. Even small mistakes can result in deaths, and even single deaths can result in wipes.

Due to their unforgiving nature, battles for survival are the most difficult type of encounter. They can even remain a challenge even for well-geared groups, although good gear usually allows for a larger margin of error.

Some players consider battles for survival to be the most interesting type of fight, others hate them because they are inherently more frustrating for groups. Usually, they are found near the end of instances, and most, if not all, end bosses tend to be battles for survival.

Magtheridon's Lair

 * Magtheridon

The Battle of Mount Hyjal

 * Archimonde

Ulduar

 * Mimiron

Icecrown Citadel

 * Rotface
 * Sindragosa
 * Lich King

Firelands

 * Lord Rhyolith

Dragon Soul

 * Spine of Deathwing
 * Madness of Deathwing

Heart of Fear

 * Grand Empress Shek'zeer

Terrace of Endless Spring

 * Tsulong
 * Sha of Fear

Throne of Thunder

 * Durumu the Forgotten
 * Lei Shen

Siege of Orgrimmar

 * Kor'kron Dark Shaman
 * Siegecrafter Blackfuse
 * Spoils of Pandaria
 * Paragons of the Klaxxi
 * Garrosh Hellscream (phases two through four)

Highmaul

 * Tectus
 * Ko'ragh
 * Imperator Mar'gok

Blackrock Foundry

 * Hans'gar and Franzok
 * Kromog
 * Blackhand