Genuine question for those upset with the new Mentor requirements

[Blokeymon]

Honestly I don't need a crown, HOWEVER, it does feel nice to be recognized as someone who is helpful and is worthy of trust. This is the internet, nobody can trust nobody, so having a sign that you're somewhat helpful and can be relied upon is a big deal if you ask me, and I was initially very happy to have that mentor status, because it meant that I was valuable enough to be helpful and players could rely on me

Too bad it's nothing like that and not only helping is heavily discouraged due to the "compelling playstyle" rule, but many others use the crown symbol just to show off. I haven't bothered to use the crown since then really and I don't dare to try ask if anyone needs help in fear of being banned.

When the renewal comes out I'll update my status but I'll keep doing what I'm doing: mind my own business.
Not worth the risk of being banned for someone who can't take criticism or refuses to get helped. Sorry.

It's such a shame you'll be renewing and then just going about your own business, but I'll be doing the same.

That said, when it comes to being recognised, then just be outwardly helpful and nice to others in duties. Don't be afraid to ask if any newcomers need tips. In some duties, I'll throw up a marker on my head and let first timers know to follow me in the event of certain "do or die" mechanics.

I also crack stupid-ass jokes during cutscenes in MSQ roulettes, raise a few laughs. That kind of thing gets you recognised too, only this time they recognise the name, not just the crown. Much more satisfying.

[Voltyblast]

That said, when it comes to being recognised, then just be outwardly helpful and nice to others in duties. Don't be afraid to ask if any newcomers need tips. In some duties, I'll throw up a marker on my head and let first timers know to follow me in the event of certain "do or die" mechanics.

No thanks, I don't have plans to get banned any time soon, but by all means go ahead and do it yourself: I'll just keep quiet and pretend I saw nothing, hoping it isn't offensive or anything.

I don't mean to be disrespectful or harmful but it's really not my problem if the rules actively discourages you to help anyone, as they can be openly misused and backfire if the other one doesn't find it of their leisure.

A shame, but this is the current situation of the game...I mean we're talking with a community that thinks parsers are the devil, so imagine trying to help others and being told I'm harassing them because I'm suggesting them how to improve their gameplay. Very unfair isn't it?

Never had this kind of issue in other mmos, so I'm not gonna bother changing it. Sorry, I'm a nice person, but not crazy to risk their account to be suspended because someone found my advice harassing.
When this situation changes, I'll gladly help anyone who will require assistance. But I doubt it'll ever happen.

[Blokeymon]

No thanks, I don't have plans to get banned any time soon, but by all means go ahead and do it yourself: I'll just keep quiet and pretend I saw nothing, hoping it isn't offensive or anything.

I don't mean to be disrespectful or harmful but it's really not my problem if the rules actively discourages you to help anyone, as they can be openly misused and backfire if the other one doesn't find it of their leisure.

A shame, but this is the current situation of the game...I mean we're talking with a community that thinks parsers are the devil, so imagine trying to help others and being told I'm harassing them because I'm suggesting them how to improve their gameplay. Very unfair isn't it?

Never had this kind of issue in other mmos, so I'm not gonna bother changing it. Sorry, I'm a nice person, but not crazy to risk their account to be suspended because someone found my advice harassing.
When this situation changes, I'll gladly help anyone who will require assistance. But I doubt it'll ever happen.

Well, if the way you offer advice runs the risk of getting you banned, then perhaps the problem isn't with SE's terms and conditions. In six whole years I've offered advice probably thousands of times and not once have I been reported.

If it would help any, or if you want it, I'd be happy to offer some tips or advice on how to do this?

Just to clarify, that right there is both an actual offer AND how I do it in duties. Don't try to force it, merely offer help if things are clearly not going as smoothly as they should.

See how unreportable that was? Easy. Just don't be a massive douche about it and you're fine.

[Mavrias]

No thanks, I don't have plans to get banned any time soon, but by all means go ahead and do it yourself: I'll just keep quiet and pretend I saw nothing, hoping it isn't offensive or anything.

I don't mean to be disrespectful or harmful but it's really not my problem if the rules actively discourages you to help anyone, as they can be openly misused and backfire if the other one doesn't find it of their leisure.

A shame, but this is the current situation of the game...I mean we're talking with a community that thinks parsers are the devil, so imagine trying to help others and being told I'm harassing them because I'm suggesting them how to improve their gameplay. Very unfair isn't it?

Never had this kind of issue in other mmos, so I'm not gonna bother changing it. Sorry, I'm a nice person, but not crazy to risk their account to be suspended because someone found my advice harassing.
When this situation changes, I'll gladly help anyone who will require assistance. But I doubt it'll ever happen.

This literally never happens so long as you're polite when you give your advice. (Dont even have to be nice. You can just say "use flare for aoe" and be fine.) If this has happened to you, its a problem with you, not the ToS.

[Voltyblast]

Well, if the way you offer advice runs the risk of getting you banned, then perhaps the problem isn't with SE's terms and conditions. In six whole years I've offered advice probably thousands of times and not once have I been reported.

If it would help any, or if you want it, I'd be happy to offer some tips or advice on how to do this?

Just to clarify, that right there is both an actual offer AND how I do it in duties. Don't try to force it, merely offer help if things are clearly not going as smoothly as they should.

See how unreportable that was? Easy. Just don't be a massive douche about it and you're fine.

I don't offer advice. At least not anymore. I'm not crazy enough to even dare to tell anyone how to improve their gameplay. Did I do it before? Yes, I did, infact I used to tell tactics and how to improve certain things - like how a monk didn't know that bootshine critted when behind an enemy - but even then people were usually too cranky and very aggressive that I just didn't bother try because I don't want to risk finding THAT guy who decides to report me: I had enough flak for merely stating opinions that are harmless, I can't imagine if I even dared to tell someone how to use a spell correctly.

Does someone ask for help? Well, I would tell you, gladly so, but I'm not a mentor: ask the real one, he's the one risking causing major distress to the one player. I could also tell why the dungeon run is taking too long, it could be the fact that the dragoon is constantly dying, or even that the dps is so low that the tank is doing more, or the tank is missing their tanking stance, but I'm not even DARING to do that.

But if this makes me a douche then I guess I am but at least I'm safe. Better safe than sorry!

This literally never happens so long as you're polite when you give your advice. (Dont even have to be nice. You can just say "use flare for aoe" and be fine.) If this has happened to you, its a problem with you, not the ToS.

I was once kicked and heavily bashed for telling during a run of Castrum - back in ARR when you could skip cutscenes - that a bunch of peeps were watching CS and that we should wait, so no, it does happen.

But I suppose I'm just "not nice enough" so who knows. Still, by all means, you keeps risking your account, I'll just mind my own business. Deal? Deal.

[Krotoan]

I don't offer advice. At least not anymore. I'm not crazy enough to even dare to tell anyone how to improve their gameplay. Did I do it before? Yes, I did, infact I used to tell tactics and how to improve certain things - like how a monk didn't know that bootshine critted when behind an enemy - but even then people were usually too cranky and very aggressive that I just didn't bother try because I don't want to risk finding THAT guy who decides to report me: I had enough flak for merely stating opinions that are harmless, I can't imagine if I even dared to tell someone how to use a spell correctly.

Does someone ask for help? Well, I would tell you, gladly so, but I'm not a mentor: ask the real one, he's the one risking causing major distress to the one player. I could also tell why the dungeon run is taking too long, it could be the fact that the dragoon is constantly dying, or even that the dps is so low that the tank is doing more, or the tank is missing their tanking stance, but I'm not even DARING to do that.

But if this makes me a douche, you know the "not trying to help", then I guess I am but at least I'm a douche with an account still going.



I was once kicked and heavily bashed for telling during a run of Castrum - back in ARR when you could skip cutscenes - that a bunch of peeps were watching CS and that we should wait, so no, it does happen.

But I suppose I'm just "not nice enough" so I'm not even going further. You keep risking your account, I'll just mind my own business. Deal? Deal.

People don't just get banned without ANY cause. If a GM can find something in your "advice" worth banning, you really need to look at how you're phrasing things.

You are of course right in that by never offering advice you keep yourself safe from any action upon you, but it's not the advice that's damning it's how you give it.

[Voltyblast]

People don't just get banned without ANY cause. If a GM can find something in your "advice" worth banning, you really need to look at how you're phrasing things.

You are of course right in that by never offering advice you keep yourself safe from any action upon you, but it's not the advice that's damning it's how you give it.

I once banned a couple of players who threatened me and as far as I know, nothing happened to them, in fact I saw them running months later as nothing happened. If they did get punished I cannot say, but I don't think so. And I'm fairly sure that kind of threat there isn't "other way to phrase it". And yes I even sent a screenshot alongside my report.

Meanwhile, I legitimately can risk being banned if I "accidentally" say someone's DPS is low, as it implies I run something in the background, even though my intention is to say that "we should increase our damage or else we won't make it". And bear in mind, I only want to end the run, and I want to help the team to understand who's causing the issue and I swear I'm not trying to create problems of any kind, but if that dragoon would stop dying maybe we could make it through! (just an exaggerated example, but you get the point)

Thank you for your advice but I'll keep being the silent person. Better safe than sorry.

[Krotoan]

I once banned a couple of players who death threatened me and as far as I know, nothing happened to them, in fact I saw them running months later as nothing happened. If they did get punished I cannot say, but I don't think so. And I'm fairly sure that kind of threat there isn't "other way to phrase it". And yes I even sent a screenshot alongside my report.

As far as you know. This is how the system works. And I'm not saying "anything is ok if you phrase it right" because that wasn't advice, that was just being toxic.

Meanwhile, I legitimately can risk being banned if I "accidentally" say someone's DPS is low, as it implies I run something in the background, even though my intention is to say that "we should increase our damage or else we won't make it". And bear in mind, I only want to end the run, I'm not trying to create problems but if that dragoon would stop dying maybe! (just an exaggerated example, but you get the point)

You are very likely only risking banning if you use certain terms like "Damage meter" or specifically calling out ONE of the DPS (something you wouldn't really know unless you had a meter) , even then all actioned reports are reviewed by a human in the end. This isn't a blizzard game where you get enough reports and poof you cannot talk/play and you have to appeal. You get reported and depending on content you either get punished or warned or nothing happens. Sure you can get kicked but that's minor.. some people just not gonna wanna play with you.

Thank you for your advice - no I won't report you, don't worry, I only report personal offenses on me! - but I'll keep being the silent person. Better safe than sorry.

Er.. you're welcome but I stand by my assertion that you cannot get me banned/silenced simply by nonsense reporting me, I have to do something that earns it. The problem is that YOU are not the judge of that, and it sounds like your perspective may not allow you to see what others might consider offensive/toxic. it's not up to the player or you, it's up to the GMs.

[Mavrias]

I was once kicked and heavily bashed for telling during a run of Castrum - back in ARR when you could skip cutscenes - that a bunch of peeps were watching CS and that we should wait, so no, it does happen.

But I suppose I'm just "not nice enough" so who knows. Still, by all means, you keeps risking your account, I'll just mind my own business. Deal? Deal.

What exactly does that have to do with being reported and recieving action against your account for giving advice exactly? Hello?