How do you join friends and avoid blocked party progression?

Choose the same server as your friends before creating characters. On that server, use the channel transfer button in the party UI to move to the party leader’s channel when the button is available.

Same server, different channel

Channels are separate copies of a zone within a server. They are not alternative servers. The launch response confirms the party UI transfer button, but also says it only appears under certain conditions. It does not publish an exact cooldown or a universal way to force that button to appear.

Check that you are on the same server, in the intended party, and following the correct leader. If you still cannot join, record the zone and party UI state instead of assuming a server transfer is possible.

Keep the group together through the exit

The November 4 response identifies a specific progression risk: a dungeon can become blocked if the party disbands or its leader leaves before the group moves to the next area. The official interim advice is to keep the party intact until that transition is complete.

Some key items are not shared between members. Each member should obtain their own key before the group proceeds. Shared quest progress does not mean every inventory item is shared.

Solo and party instances

The progression overview describes dungeons for a solo player or a party of up to four. The prelaunch update says instance progress survives disconnections in Early Access regions, but that does not override the separate party-disband warning. For a repeated blocker, record who held the key, who led the party and whether anyone left before the transition.