I would like to see the level 85 instances be a challenge for a group geared in (character) level 85 quest gear. And for this same gear level to have a 0% chance of doing heroic versions of any Cataclysm instance.

Similarly, once a group was basically in mostly level 85 normal dungeon gear, I'd like the heroics to be doable but a challenge. Possibly with some variance, such that normal gear would allow for 81-83 heroics, while gear from those heroics would allow for 83-85 heroics.

Faction from the normal dungeons, to buy the key for heroic is another mechanic to force players to run normals before the heroics begin. I'd prefer to do away with the artificial limit of a key unlocking the content, and to just use the difficulty of the encounter.

Ideally, our groups will need to run normals, for the gear to do heroics. And will need a lot of heroic gear from the easier heroics to run the harder heroics. And maybe have the initial raid on par with the harder heroics. So the first raid zone of the expansion won't be beaten for 6-8 weeks... but players who want a challenge, can play within the 5-man level, much as raids can be 10-man or 25-man.

I like the idea of a challenge. Where, if we notice a debuff and cure it, the encounter is much easier, yet it is still doable (not death in 6 seconds) without the cure. Where a pack of three mobs might be zerged through, as most of the trash is in the current content; but a five pack will require some crowd control, at least until the heroic is outgeared down the road.

It would be nice if you could run the dungeon on a few different modes, rather then just normal and heroic. To borrow the item levels of today... heroic might drop iLV200, but heroic-level2 might drop iLV219, and heroic-level3 could drop iLV232 etc. With more challenge for each heroic setting, rather then the same iLV200 challenge initially rewarding badges for 200, but eventually giving 232 gear for the same challenge. Basically, have the option for the heroic to be as challenging as say the 10-man of the previous best raid.