Genuine question for those upset with the new Mentor requirements

[MPK]

I've yet to see anyone using the novice network as intended.

[RyuDragnier]

I've yet to see anyone using the novice network as intended.

Most people I know with the tag don't even use Novice Network (myself included).

[Hugowulf]

I think most are upset over losing the roulette.

[Hash_Browns]

You really don't need a crown to mentor people in the game. Although, like any other content the mentoring is really driven by the reward. I'm more in favor of dropping the comms requirement and making the requirements stricter so people can't just grab the mentor crown whenever they want.

[Aylis]

The mentor system is and will always be just one of those ideas that look and sound good on paper, but not so much in actual practice. Like you said you don't need a crown near your name to help others. In a perfect world if everyone could stop and take time to help another on their own free will that alone should be its own reward. Alas but this isn't a perfect world and while yes good mentors do exist, however most are just in it for the physical rewards and the status symbol. If not talking to friends helps then spending a bit of time in a internet search engine can answer pretty much every question anyone could have about the game. You don't have to look for someone with a crown at all.

[PyurBlue]

The mentor system is and will always be just one of those ideas that look and sound good on paper, but not so much in actual practice. Like you said you don't need a crown near your name to help others. In a perfect world if everyone could stop and take time to help another on their own free will that alone should be its own reward. Alas but this isn't a perfect world and while yes good mentors do exist, however most are just in it for the physical rewards and the status symbol. If not talking to friends helps then spending a bit of time in a internet search engine can answer pretty much every question anyone could have about the game. You don't have to look for someone with a crown at all.

It does work in practice. The Mentor system actually addresses a lot of issues that people like to mention regarding player ability. People advise against giving unsolicited advice because it can be taken the wrong way. This is less likely in the NN where people have to be invited to join and the chat itself encourages players to ask questions. It provides a place where new players can maintain contact with other new players or mentors as opposed to dungeons where you're unlikely to see anyone in your party again. As a mentor you can see players grow over time, get to know them, and learn the best ways to assist them. This becomes much more difficult without the mentor system in place. Online guides can't provide this kind of assistance either.

I really do think that the mentor system is one of the best features of the game and I have a hard time understanding the negative perceptions of it. You'll occasionally see someone wearing the crown who is a terrible player certainly, that is not representative of the system as a whole in anyway. Additionally if, as this thread suggests, no one directly approaches mentors for advice, those bad mentors don't cause any more problems than they would without the crown outside of perhaps taking up space in NN. I only see a small portion of mentors communicating in the NN, so I'm sure some just idle in there because of the autojoin. However it doesn't prevent the NN from serving its purpose at all. Sprouts are still able to ask questions, and they do. Mentors respond when they can.

[TheForce]

Nailed it OP, that's why I hated the old mentor system as well. It was more about status and feeling superior ot your fellow Player, than truly wanting to help out the new guys. They viewed the crown as something that gave them power over others (and just to be clear, it did not), it's even funnier because speaking from personal experience, most of the players I've seen screw up and give crap to others in content have actually been mentors. To me, that crown was utterly worthless. Just another icon on the screen.

[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.