PlayStation.Blog Exclusive Q&A: Naoki Yoshida Details FFXIV’s New Mentor System

[Takfloyd]

I believe that the intent behind this system is to raise up the newbies while they're fresh so that they are more competent when they get to higher levels. Anyone who got to beyond level 50 and are still doing badly need to go back to the very basics.

That simply isn't true, at least in the case of DDs. You can't "go back to the basics" when your endgame rotation doesn't exist until you hit 50(and then 60). In fact, going back to the basics is the absolute worst thing you can do in many cases. Just look at all the "Ice Mages" running around in level 50 and above dungeons - they learned to alternate between Fire and Blizzard in the early levels and never moved on from that as their moveset expanded. That's the kind of player that needs a mentor - they sure aren't going to go online and look up how to play on their own! And advice from random strangers is often negatively received. "Don't tell me how to play my job", and all that. But if the advice came from a certified mentor, people would be much more likely to listen.

[Ilitsa]

Remember, kids : Do your undersized Ifrit normal to get that 1000 dungeons achievement for the mentor requirement! Only 25 seconds per run needed~

Because apparently SE didn't thought it through with this.

or, alternatively, you can just not be lazy and actually, like, PLAY the game. I know, it's an incomprehensible idea, but it can be done, I assure you.

I've been relatively lazy with doing dungeons and stuff since early access of ARR, and I'm up to almost 3,000 dungeons just from leveling my classes and doing roulettes on occasion. If you have to resort to something like "Ifrit normal mode 1000 times", then the mentor system is probably not meant for you.

[LaylaTsarra]

I don't believe rewards for the mentor should be the focus, it should be helping people learn. Perhaps a neat title after mentoring so many people might be worthwhile and allow the mentor to show they are helping.

[Jetstream_Fox]

That's helpful and all but there is still the glaring fact you need to be a level 60 in 5 classes too even be considered a mentor. All this is doing is giving them a private linkshell so it's not really helping out anyone new. Especially when the mentor could be a lv 60 War, Nin, Ast and you just want to play as a Blm. It should be job based so if you roll a 60 Drg you become a mentor for Lancer players and not everyone else simply because you have 3 lv 60s.

[Ilitsa]

That's helpful and all but there is still the glaring fact you need to be a level 60 in 5 classes too even be considered a mentor.

where do you get 5 classes? it's level 60 as a tank, healer AND DPS (3 classes)

OR

1 60 as a crafter (DoH) or gatherer (DoL) (2 classes)

The part you had quoted before, that you left a line out of in the middle is:

Q: That’s pretty cool, and I’m sure many new players will appreciate this. So, how will I, as an experienced veteran adventurer of Eorzea, be able to sign up to be a mentor? Are there any tests or trials I have to master, to test my mettle?

A: As I mentioned earlier, players need to obtain certain achievements to be a mentor. Requirements for those who are geared towards battle content are:
At least one level 60 job in each role of tank, healer and DPS
To have completed a total of more than 1,000 dungeons and trials and…
… to have received 300 or more commendations

If your expertise is more focused on gathering and crafting, your requirements will be:

At least one level 60 class in both a crafting and gathering class
To have crafted over 100 collectables, and…
… to have gathered 300 collectables
By fulfilling either one of these two requirements, you will be able to become a mentor by speaking to a certain NPC.
Final Fantasy XIV Heavensward Patch 3.2

All this is doing is giving them a private linkshell so it's not really helping out anyone new. Especially when the mentor could be a lv 60 War, Nin, Ast and you just want to play as a Blm. It should be job based so if you roll a 60 Drg you become a mentor for Lancer players and not everyone else simply because you have 3 lv 60s.

By meeting the "level 60 in each role" requirement, a player, who actually has an interest in learning the game, can pretty easily discern the basics of the game, this isn't to teach a player how to be good at max level, the point is to teach the basic fundamentals of the game

[Arrius]

or, alternatively, you can just not be lazy and actually, like, PLAY the game. I know, it's an incomprehensible idea, but it can be done, I assure you.

I've been relatively lazy with doing dungeons and stuff since early access of ARR, and I'm up to almost 3,000 dungeons just from leveling my classes and doing roulettes on occasion. If you have to resort to something like "Ifrit normal mode 1000 times", then the mentor system is probably not meant for you.

I am doing most of the time normal dungeons here, from Expert Roulette down to Main Scenario, in order to get enough Tomes to get my relic done. For now, I stand at 15 items each so the end of the tunnel is in sight.
And as I said, I started this character 2 weeks before HW so I had to power through the content until 2.55 in that short time frame.

As for mentioning Ifrit normal, I am mere pointing out the loopholes SE either ignores or simply forgot when they did put up these requirements.
And by openly telling this issue, I hope they will address this quickly enough.

That's helpful and all but there is still the glaring fact you need to be a level 60 in 5 classes too even be considered a mentor. All this is doing is giving them a private linkshell so it's not really helping out anyone new. Especially when the mentor could be a lv 60 War, Nin, Ast and you just want to play as a Blm. It should be job based so if you roll a 60 Drg you become a mentor for Lancer players and not everyone else simply because you have 3 lv 60s.

Probably flexibility reasons, as you can't join in a duo with the same role in 2 of 3 cases in a Light Party.

[Ilitsa]

I am doing most of the time normal dungeons here, from Expert Roulette down to Main Scenario, in order to get enough Tomes to get my relic done. For now, I stand at 15 items each so the end of the tunnel is in sight.
And as I said, I started this character 2 weeks before HW so I had to power through the content until 2.55 in that short time frame.

As for mentioning Ifrit normal, I am mere pointing out the loopholes SE either ignores or simply forgot when they did put up these requirements.
And by openly telling this issue, I hope they will address this quickly enough.

point still stands if someone has to resort to that, being a mentor is most likely not in their, or the novice's best interest, as it'll only further fuel the horrible players that have come (and gone)

[Arrius]

point still stands if someone has to resort to that, being a mentor is most likely not in their, or the novice's best interest, as it'll only further fuel the horrible players that have come (and gone)

Exclusive titles, gear and/or items have always brought in the selfish ones. See the announcement of Lightning's Return items being soon in the shop; people have gone salty because their 'unique rewards' will become not so unique anymore.

Anything for being a special snowflake to stand out in the mass, these days. And the mentor system won't be any different.

[Ilitsa]

Exclusive titles, gear and/or items have always brought in the selfish ones. See the announcement of Lightning's Return items being soon in the shop; people have gone salty because their 'unique rewards' will become not so unique anymore.

While I agree, i'm at least hoping that the system does more good than harm. As for the Lightning Return situation, I can honestly understand both sides of that argument, we were told at one time that they'd be a "very limited" reward. It'd be like them placing the Legacy mark on the cash shop now for 15 bucks, or whatever, the legacy players would be incredibly salty, HOWEVER, at the same time, I know if I came in later to the game, I'd want the hair/clothes/weapons too, and would be a little bummed out if I couldn't have them, so it doesn't really bother me that they're doing it now.

[Nalien]

I believe that the intent behind this system is to raise up the newbies while they're fresh so that they are more competent when they get to higher levels. Anyone who got to beyond level 50 and are still doing badly need to go back to the very basics.

Their intent with this system is to provide a singular linkshell to help out new players (the new chat thing) as well as a roulette to specifically help out first timers. That's why we have something like the three roles requirement; Someone with all three roles leveled can help out regardless of the situation. If a new player needs the help of a tank, every mentor has a tank leveled and can help.

This isn't about teaching rotations or anything like that. Obviously that doesn't hurt (to some degree, shoving your perfect Lv60 Black Mage rotation down the throat of a Lv5 Thaumaturge is utterly insane), but for the most part Mentors are about helping out, not lecturing...

Hall of the Novice and Stone, Sky, Sea are more about teaching mechanics and fine tuning rotations. Mentors are literally just there to help out when needed. It's not a case of "You're a Mentor! What should my rotation be?", though obviously one expects a Mentor to be able to help with that. It's more a case of having a unified linkshell for new players to join, which will have veterans (Mentors) to help out when needed.