diff --git a/server/barriers/barrier_api.cpp b/server/barriers/barrier_api.cpp
index f4c41cc..506d10a 100644
--- a/server/barriers/barrier_api.cpp
+++ b/server/barriers/barrier_api.cpp
@@ -52,15 +52,17 @@ static int getTag(lua_State* L) {
 	return 1;
 }
 
-static int setInstance(lua_State* L) {
+/*
+static int setBattleIndex(lua_State* L) {
 	BarrierData* barrier = static_cast<BarrierData*>(lua_touserdata(L, 1));
-	barrier->SetInstanceIndex(lua_tointeger(L, 2));
+	barrier->SetBattleIndex(lua_tointeger(L, 2));
 	return 0;
 }
+*/
 
-static int getInstance(lua_State* L) {
+static int getBattleIndex(lua_State* L) {
 	BarrierData* barrier = static_cast<BarrierData*>(lua_touserdata(L, 1));
-	lua_pushinteger(L, barrier->GetInstanceIndex());
+	lua_pushinteger(L, barrier->GetBattleIndex());
 	return 1;
 }
 
@@ -81,9 +83,8 @@ static const luaL_Reg barrierLib[] = {
 	{"GetScript", getScript},
 	{"SetTag", setTag},
 	{"GetTag", getTag},
-	//NOTE: Why is the instance mutable?
-	{"SetInstance", setInstance},
-	{"GetInstance", getInstance},
+//	{"SetBattleIndex", setBattleIndex},
+	{"GetBattleIndex", getBattleIndex},
 	{"SetStatus", setStatus},
 	{"GetStatus", getStatus},
 	{nullptr, nullptr}
diff --git a/server/barriers/barrier_data.cpp b/server/barriers/barrier_data.cpp
index 3fa222a..aa6362f 100644
--- a/server/barriers/barrier_data.cpp
+++ b/server/barriers/barrier_data.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 BarrierData::BarrierData(int i):
 	Entity::Entity("barrier")
 {
-	instanceIndex = i;
+	battleIndex = i;
 	memset(status, 0, sizeof(int) * 8);
 
 	SetBounds({
@@ -85,12 +85,12 @@ std::string BarrierData::GetTag(std::string key) {
 	return tags[key];
 }
 
-int BarrierData::SetInstanceIndex(int i) {
-	return instanceIndex = i;
+int BarrierData::SetBattleIndex(int i) {
+	return battleIndex = i;
 }
 
-int BarrierData::GetInstanceIndex() const {
-	return instanceIndex;
+int BarrierData::GetBattleIndex() const {
+	return battleIndex;
 }
 
 int BarrierData::SetStatus(int k, int v) {
diff --git a/server/barriers/barrier_data.hpp b/server/barriers/barrier_data.hpp
index ae78f4e..fb8fd23 100644
--- a/server/barriers/barrier_data.hpp
+++ b/server/barriers/barrier_data.hpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 
 class BarrierData: public Entity {
 public:
-	BarrierData(int instanceIndex);
+	BarrierData(int battleIndex);
 	~BarrierData();
 
 	int Update(lua_State*);
@@ -43,8 +43,8 @@ public:
 	std::string SetTag(std::string key, std::string value);
 	std::string GetTag(std::string key);
 
-	int SetInstanceIndex(int i);
-	int GetInstanceIndex() const;
+	int SetBattleIndex(int i);
+	int GetBattleIndex() const;
 
 	int SetStatus(int k, int v);
 	int GetStatus(int k);
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ private:
 	int scriptRef = LUA_NOREF;
 	std::map<std::string, std::string> tags;
 
-	int instanceIndex;
+	int battleIndex;
 
 	int status[8];
 };
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/server/combat/combat_instance.cpp b/server/battles/battle.cpp
similarity index 70%
rename from server/combat/combat_instance.cpp
rename to server/battles/battle.cpp
index b7d661c..63cd2a7 100644
--- a/server/combat/combat_instance.cpp
+++ b/server/battles/battle.cpp
@@ -19,33 +19,33 @@
  * 3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source
  * distribution.
 */
-#include "combat_instance.hpp"
+#include "battle.hpp"
 
-CombatInstance::CombatInstance() {
+Battle::Battle() {
 	//
 }
 
-CombatInstance::~CombatInstance() {
+Battle::~Battle() {
 	//
 }
 
-void CombatInstance::Update() {
+void Battle::Update() {
 	//
 }
 
 //accessors and mutators
-void CombatInstance::PushCharacter(CharacterData* const characterData) {
+void Battle::PushCharacter(CharacterData* const characterData) {
 	//
 }
 
-void CombatInstance::PopCharacter(CharacterData* const characterData) {
+void Battle::PopCharacter(CharacterData* const characterData) {
 	//
 }
 
-void CombatInstance::PushCreature(CreatureData* const creatureData) {
+void Battle::PushCreature(CreatureData* const creatureData) {
 	//
 }
 
-void CombatInstance::PopCreature(CreatureData* const creatureData) {
+void Battle::PopCreature(CreatureData* const creatureData) {
 	//
 }
diff --git a/server/combat/combat_instance.hpp b/server/battles/battle.hpp
similarity index 95%
rename from server/combat/combat_instance.hpp
rename to server/battles/battle.hpp
index c2e94db..9061951 100644
--- a/server/combat/combat_instance.hpp
+++ b/server/battles/battle.hpp
@@ -26,10 +26,10 @@
 
 #include <functional>
 
-class CombatInstance {
+class Battle {
 public:
-	CombatInstance();
-	~CombatInstance();
+	Battle();
+	~Battle();
 
 	void Update();
 
diff --git a/server/combat/combat_instance_manager.cpp b/server/battles/battle_manager.cpp
similarity index 60%
rename from server/combat/combat_instance_manager.cpp
rename to server/battles/battle_manager.cpp
index af3df50..eaf282e 100644
--- a/server/combat/combat_instance_manager.cpp
+++ b/server/battles/battle_manager.cpp
@@ -19,26 +19,26 @@
  * 3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source
  * distribution.
 */
-#include "combat_instance_manager.hpp"
+#include "battle_manager.hpp"
 
-CombatInstanceManager::CombatInstanceManager() {
+BattleManager::BattleManager() {
 	//EMPTY
 }
 
-CombatInstanceManager::~CombatInstanceManager() {
+BattleManager::~BattleManager() {
 	UnloadAll();
 }
 
 //arg: a list of combats to be updated in the clients
-void CombatInstanceManager::Update() {
+void BattleManager::Update() {
 	for (auto& it : elementMap) {
 		it.second.Update();
 	}
 }
 
-int CombatInstanceManager::Create() {
+int BattleManager::Create() {
 	//implicitly create the new object
-	elementMap.emplace( std::pair<int, CombatInstance>(counter, CombatInstance()) );
+	elementMap.emplace( std::pair<int, Battle>(counter, Battle()) );
 
 	//TODO: do various things like saving to the database
 	return counter++;
@@ -46,16 +46,16 @@ int CombatInstanceManager::Create() {
 
 //TODO: (1) combat load, save
 
-void CombatInstanceManager::Unload(int uid) {
+void BattleManager::Unload(int uid) {
 	elementMap.erase(uid);
 }
 
-void CombatInstanceManager::UnloadAll() {
+void BattleManager::UnloadAll() {
 	elementMap.clear();
 }
 
-void CombatInstanceManager::UnloadIf(std::function<bool(std::pair<const int, CombatInstance const&>)> fn) {
-	std::map<int, CombatInstance>::iterator it = elementMap.begin();
+void BattleManager::UnloadIf(std::function<bool(std::pair<const int, Battle const&>)> fn) {
+	std::map<int, Battle>::iterator it = elementMap.begin();
 	while (it != elementMap.end()) {
 		if (fn(*it)) {
 			it = elementMap.erase(it);
@@ -66,8 +66,8 @@ void CombatInstanceManager::UnloadIf(std::function<bool(std::pair<const int, Com
 	}
 }
 
-CombatInstance* CombatInstanceManager::Find(int uid) {
-	std::map<int, CombatInstance>::iterator it = elementMap.find(uid);
+Battle* BattleManager::Find(int uid) {
+	std::map<int, Battle>::iterator it = elementMap.find(uid);
 
 	if (it == elementMap.end()) {
 		return nullptr;
@@ -76,26 +76,26 @@ CombatInstance* CombatInstanceManager::Find(int uid) {
 	return &it->second;
 }
 
-int CombatInstanceManager::GetLoadedCount() {
+int BattleManager::GetLoadedCount() {
 	return elementMap.size();
 }
 
-std::map<int, CombatInstance>* CombatInstanceManager::GetContainer() {
+std::map<int, Battle>* BattleManager::GetContainer() {
 	return &elementMap;
 }
 
-lua_State* CombatInstanceManager::SetLuaState(lua_State* L) {
+lua_State* BattleManager::SetLuaState(lua_State* L) {
 	return lua = L;
 }
 
-lua_State* CombatInstanceManager::GetLuaState() {
+lua_State* BattleManager::GetLuaState() {
 	return lua;
 }
 
-sqlite3* CombatInstanceManager::SetDatabase(sqlite3* db) {
+sqlite3* BattleManager::SetDatabase(sqlite3* db) {
 	return database = db;
 }
 
-sqlite3* CombatInstanceManager::GetDatabase() {
+sqlite3* BattleManager::GetDatabase() {
 	return database;
 }
diff --git a/server/combat/combat_instance_manager.hpp b/server/battles/battle_manager.hpp
similarity index 81%
rename from server/combat/combat_instance_manager.hpp
rename to server/battles/battle_manager.hpp
index badd495..09faa59 100644
--- a/server/combat/combat_instance_manager.hpp
+++ b/server/battles/battle_manager.hpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 */
 #pragma once
 
-#include "combat_instance.hpp"
+#include "battle.hpp"
 
 #include "lua.hpp"
 #include "sqlite3.h"
@@ -29,10 +29,10 @@
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <map>
 
-class CombatInstanceManager {
+class BattleManager {
 public:
-	CombatInstanceManager();
-	~CombatInstanceManager();
+	BattleManager();
+	~BattleManager();
 
 	//common public methods
 	void Update();
@@ -41,12 +41,12 @@ public:
 	void Unload(int uid);
 
 	void UnloadAll();
-	void UnloadIf(std::function<bool(std::pair<const int, CombatInstance const&>)> fn);
+	void UnloadIf(std::function<bool(std::pair<const int, Battle const&>)> fn);
 
 	//accessors & mutators
-	CombatInstance* Find(int uid);
+	Battle* Find(int uid);
 	int GetLoadedCount();
-	std::map<int, CombatInstance>* GetContainer();
+	std::map<int, Battle>* GetContainer();
 
 	//hooks
 	lua_State* SetLuaState(lua_State* L);
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ public:
 
 private:
 	//members
-	std::map<int, CombatInstance> elementMap;
+	std::map<int, Battle> elementMap;
 	int counter = 0;
 	lua_State* lua = nullptr;
 	sqlite3* database = nullptr;
diff --git a/server/combat/makefile b/server/battles/makefile
similarity index 100%
rename from server/combat/makefile
rename to server/battles/makefile
diff --git a/server/characters/makefile b/server/characters/makefile
index a606e12..624661c 100644
--- a/server/characters/makefile
+++ b/server/characters/makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #config
-INCLUDES+=. .. ../barriers ../combat ../creatures ../entities ../monsters ../inventory ../rooms ../triggers ../../common/gameplay ../../common/map ../../common/network ../../common/network/packet_types ../../common/utilities
+INCLUDES+=. .. ../barriers ../battles ../creatures ../entities ../monsters ../inventory ../rooms ../triggers ../../common/gameplay ../../common/map ../../common/network ../../common/network/packet_types ../../common/utilities
 LIBS+=
 CXXFLAGS+=-std=c++11 $(addprefix -I,$(INCLUDES))
 
diff --git a/server/makefile b/server/makefile
index 553aecf..9968c92 100644
--- a/server/makefile
+++ b/server/makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #include directories
-INCLUDES+=. accounts barriers characters clients combat creatures entities inventory rooms triggers ../common/debugging ../common/gameplay ../common/map ../common/network ../common/network/packet_types ../common/utilities
+INCLUDES+=. accounts barriers battles characters clients creatures entities inventory rooms triggers ../common/debugging ../common/gameplay ../common/map ../common/network ../common/network/packet_types ../common/utilities
 
 #libraries
 #the order of the $(LIBS) is important, at least for MinGW
@@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ OUT=$(addprefix $(OUTDIR)/,server)
 all: $(OBJ) $(OUT)
 	$(MAKE) -C accounts
 	$(MAKE) -C barriers
+	$(MAKE) -C battles
 	$(MAKE) -C characters
 	$(MAKE) -C clients
-	$(MAKE) -C combat
 	$(MAKE) -C creatures
 	$(MAKE) -C entities
 	$(MAKE) -C inventory
diff --git a/server/rooms/makefile b/server/rooms/makefile
index 99dfa02..e1170a5 100644
--- a/server/rooms/makefile
+++ b/server/rooms/makefile
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 #config
-INCLUDES+=. .. ../barriers ../characters ../combat ../creatures ../entities ../inventory ../monsters ../triggers ../../common/gameplay ../../common/map ../../common/network ../../common/network/packet_types ../../common/utilities
+INCLUDES+=. .. ../barriers ../battles ../characters ../creatures ../entities ../inventory ../monsters ../triggers ../../common/gameplay ../../common/map ../../common/network ../../common/network/packet_types ../../common/utilities
 LIBS+=
 CXXFLAGS+=-std=c++11 $(addprefix -I,$(INCLUDES))
 
diff --git a/server/rooms/room_data.cpp b/server/rooms/room_data.cpp
index e642aa9..d552229 100644
--- a/server/rooms/room_data.cpp
+++ b/server/rooms/room_data.cpp
@@ -38,17 +38,17 @@
  * characterList	.UpdateAll()
  * creatureMgr		.Update(updateAll)
  * barrierMgr		.Update(updateAll)
- * combatMgr		.Update(updateAll)
+ * battleMgr		.Update(updateAll)
  * 
  * creatureMgr		.SendUpdates()
  * barrierMgr		.SendUpdates()
- * //combatMgr		.SendUpdates() //TODO: incomplete
+ * //battleMgr		.SendUpdates() //TODO: incomplete
  * 
  * triggerMgr		.Compare(characterList)
  * 
  * if (a character collides with a creature)
  *   barrierMgr		.Create()
- *   combatMgr		.Create()
+ *   battleMgr		.Create()
  * 
  *   barrierMgr		.Send()
  * 
@@ -111,8 +111,8 @@ void RoomData::RunFrameUpdates(bool updateAll) {
 	creatureMgr.Update(&creatureList, updateAll);
 	barrierMgr.Update(&barrierList, updateAll);
 
-	//update the combat instances
-	combatInstanceMgr.Update();
+	//update the battles
+	battleMgr.Update();
 
 	//send the creature updates
 	for (auto& it : creatureList) {
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ void RoomData::RunFrameUpdates(bool updateAll) {
 		pumpPacketProximity(reinterpret_cast<SerialPacket*>(&packet), roomIndex, it.second->GetOrigin(), INFLUENCE_RADIUS);
 	}
 
-	//TODO: send the combat instance updates
+	//TODO: send the battle updates
 }
 
 void RoomData::RunFrameTriggers() {
@@ -159,8 +159,8 @@ void RoomData::RunFrameCharacterCreatureCollisions() {
 			BoundingBox creatureBox = creatureIt.second.GetBounds() + creatureIt.second.GetOrigin();
 
 			if (characterBox.CheckOverlap(creatureBox)) {
-				//create the barrier and instance
-				int barrierIndex = barrierMgr.Create(combatInstanceMgr.Create()); //link the barrier to an instance
+				//create the barrier and battle
+				int barrierIndex = barrierMgr.Create(battleMgr.Create()); //link the barrier to a battle
 				BarrierData* barrierData = barrierMgr.Find(barrierIndex);
 				barrierData->SetRoomIndex(roomIndex);
 				barrierData->SetOrigin({
@@ -203,11 +203,11 @@ void RoomData::RunFrameCharacterBarrierCollisions() {
 			BoundingBox barrierBox = barrierIt.second.GetBounds() + barrierIt.second.GetOrigin();
 
 			if (characterBox.CheckOverlap(barrierBox)) {
-				//TODO: (0) actually move the character to an instance
-				CombatInstance* instance = combatInstanceMgr.Find(barrierIt.second.GetInstanceIndex());
+				//TODO: (0) actually move the character to a battle
+				Battle* battle = battleMgr.Find(barrierIt.second.GetBattleIndex());
 
-				//DEBUG: output barrierIndex, instanceIndex
-				std::cout << barrierIt.first << "\t" << barrierIt.second.GetInstanceIndex() << std::endl;
+				//DEBUG: output barrierIndex, battleIndex
+				std::cout << barrierIt.first << "\t" << barrierIt.second.GetBattleIndex() << std::endl;
 
 				//only confirm one barrier per character
 				break;
diff --git a/server/rooms/room_data.hpp b/server/rooms/room_data.hpp
index 91179e5..ccac6ca 100644
--- a/server/rooms/room_data.hpp
+++ b/server/rooms/room_data.hpp
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 #include "barrier_manager.hpp"
 #include "character_data.hpp"
-#include "combat_instance_manager.hpp"
+#include "battle_manager.hpp"
 #include "creature_manager.hpp"
 #include "region_pager_lua.hpp"
 #include "trigger_manager.hpp"
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ private:
 	int roomIndex = 0;
 	BarrierManager barrierMgr;
 	std::list<CharacterData*> characterList;
-	CombatInstanceManager combatInstanceMgr;
+	BattleManager battleMgr;
 	CreatureManager creatureMgr;
 	RegionPagerLua pager;
 	TriggerManager triggerMgr;