(Rant Post) Why Does It Feel Like Giving Advice Is Evil?

[Jijifli]

1) People are offended by information that conflicts with their world view. It's called the backfire effect.

2) The game does not have "one true way" of doing things. Things change from patch to patch, and information in guides is often wrong by the next patch due to adjustments. This is because instead of building a guide about how to deal with the mechanics, the guide instead was rushed out to try and capitalize on ad revenue.

Several people on the forums are exceptionally rude about handing out advice that would be seen as insulting if not taken within the context of the game. Inside the game, players often will not give advice because it will be perceived as harassment if it's volunteered. Sarcasm does not transmit through text, at all. So your well meaning sarcastic "maybe X?" is the same as "you're not doing X, quit being bad."

Unless something a player was doing was counter-intuitive to getting through the dungeon, just don't volunteer information unless asked. Not every "Crown" knows everything, and not every "sprout" is actually a new player.

When I've been on an alt, I've had players condescendingly assume I don't know how to play the dungeon because the "bonus" message came up. Don't be that guy. All you need to do do is either:

a) "Would you like to know how to do this?"
or
b) Wait for a wipe and then volunteer the mechanics.

People do not like being spoiled, and do not like being told what to do. The era of "watch a guide/skip the cutscenes-watch it in the inn" rush abuse is over. Let players just play the game, and if you're in the notice network, you should be the first person to pipe up with "I'll run it with you" if you're just chatting and doing nothing. The Notice Network is not the global chatroom to ERP in.

Just mentioning on your point #2 there, my specific example of offering another method was because we already had 3 cases where everyone ran the wrong way, and it wasn't working. The method itself that was done DOES work, and it's the method that cleared the fight, but if the party is getting dizzy figuring out where N and S are, it could be better to just base it on which side she's on, so someone just has to run left or right. That's what caused the reaction.

And you are right. Not every crown knows everything, and not every sprout is new. But I wish my advice would at least be thought on before blowing up on me. And if you are able to prove me wrong, I invite you to do so, because then I can perform better for everyone else.

I think a more recent example is I only just learned a couple days ago how bad Skill Speed is for a MCH, and why they hate Arrow. So I know now to avoid arrowing them over someone else. I used to, if they were likely doing more damage, but more info assisted me, and them. You know, rather than calling me a bunch of slurs because I tried.

It ain’t down to “not adapting” as a few have said granted there may be some out there who won’t adapt but from what I have seen it’s mainly players who want to learn by themselves or by there friends who are probs on a voice chat with them

Being blunt here, then their friend isn't doing a good teaching job.

As a disclaimer, this rant is very specifically about capped content. Part of my posts are about things, like a DRG, refusing to use half of their abilities, in a level 70 situation. If their friend is trying to teach them in voice, it'd be probably quickly mentioned. And if they are trying to learn on their own, they're doing really good at not reading anything then.