The problem with the mentor system

[Neoom]

If can be 2,000 roulette dungeons and trials, or just not uncynced.

Well if it's so unsynced runs do not count, then yes it would most likely work somewhat better. I don't know did you mention about the unsync or did I just read past it, sorry if I did tired eyes miss some stuff ^^''

[RajNish]

Well if it's so unsynced runs do not count, then yes it would most likely work somewhat better. I don't know did you mention about the unsync or did I just read past it, sorry if I did tired eyes miss some stuff ^^''

I mentioned non-synchronization only in the context of the fact that the "farmers" will not spend time on this for the sake of the book or watering can icons. Actually a working option - to take into account activities in the same way as with gaining experience points, when unsynchronized dungeons, trials, raids are not counted. Whereas synchronized group activities, including roulette, will be counted. I think that this method is more suitable than a recommendation system.

[Neoom]

I mentioned non-synchronization only in the context of the fact that the "farmers" will not spend time on this for the sake of the book or watering can icons. Actually a working option - to take into account activities in the same way as with gaining experience points, when unsynchronized dungeons, trials, raids are not counted. Whereas synchronized group activities, including roulette, will be counted. I think that this method is more suitable than a recommendation system.

Yeah sorry I missed some stuff, but thanks for the clarification ^^ But I agree on the experience point system, it would make sure you actually do the duties in a party not just unsync stuff for the sake of being a mentor. Even if it wouldn't fix the problem 100% I think it could harvest a lot of bad ones out from the system.

[HeulGDarian]

To be honest, I don’t understand what you are talking about. Making a savage is not necessary to help beginners with the basics of the game.

I said that relevant content is widely used when People talk about savage.
Relevant though is something arbitary
Because different People do different stuff like
A crafter does crafting content and sells on the marketboard
A gatherer simply gathers stuff to sell
Usually crafters are also gatherers
A fisher is completely different from the 2 others cause he has a scavenger Hunt mini game
What about pvpers PvP isnt even on the list
Gold saucer players for as much of a niche there are People Who actually love chocobo racing triple triad and verminion
There are hardcore players savage and raids as relevant content
Blu mage players are giving some life to the old raids
Eureka/BA there are still discords doing them
Furnishing/housing
Hunting
Mount/minion gathering
And even freaking gardening
This is why they didnt make stuff be even harder it is impossible for a small team to know everything and as sorry as i am that you had a bad experience i Will defend the fact that the majority isnt toxic especially when some of the ideas are as pepega as having to deal with 8000> People before getting access to helpfull tools such as mentor rlt and a symbol that sprout can ask question. Can kill novice network though idc they were rude >

[3c-33]

So maybe this is just me and the way I think, but every time I've had a negative experience with another player, I genuinely can't remember whether or not they were a mentor, I never checked or felt it was important to remember. I'm not sure why when someone is being toxic, you're mad at the mentor system and not the actual person.

I don't really see how the fact someone has a crown over their head is what turns them into a bad person. They were likely going to do that either way, crown or not, mentor or not. Do I think the fact they can have a crown over their head is a way to boost their ego and make them feel superior? Yes. Do I think these bad mentors can hurt the reputation of the good ones? Also yes. I just don't see how it's a direct cause for the behavior and therefore a reason to shut it down. Do I think it could use some changes to help circumvent these problems? Yes.

Speaking as a more recent player to the game, joining towards the end of stormblood, I have two issues with this system in general, one with the novice network and the other with the icons. Starting with the icons, there's not a very easy way to tell what any of them mean, much less the crown. The ability to set your online status isn't very easily obvious at first which is where you find out what the bulk of them mean (i spent a long time wondering what they all meant as well). The crown is less obvious as it's not there, and actually hidden under an FAQ at the novice network npc, which is easily missable. (I can't check to verify this right now so please correct me if I'm wrong.) I remember being a baby sprout, I was actually afraid of people with the icon as I associated it as a symbol of authority or the elite, or a "pro," someone I would interpret as having no patience for a noob.

For this reason I would love the idea of something like a watering can, I think it appears much more friendly to newer players and makes more sense/is easier to put two and two together (I have a sprout next to my name, they have a watering can over a sprout, they must be here to help me). Still not a perfect solution to the fact some people may not be able to deduce that and the NN npc is somewhat out of the way, but still. Not only do I think this would be beneficial for new players, it would be beneficial for the good mentors as well. Imo, I don't think as many of the toxic superiority complex mentors would bother with the icon if it was that, therefore giving mentors in general a better reputation, I'm sure that's up to debate though. Just what I think, anyway.

Like I personally would be more comfortable using the status if it was that not only because of the bad associations I have with the crown, but because of the stigma that surrounds mentors. I would love to be easily identifiable as someone who is there to help, but I don't feel I have that option as I know having a crown comes with a bad rep + I don't like the actual ideas I associate with a crown in a vacuum.

My other issue is with the novice network, mainly what others have said already: It's invite only. Not only that, but you have the option to automatically decline all future invites, without a way to reverse this option afaik. I got randomly invited to it at some point with no prior warning, a big popup just appears on your screen, and I felt immediately pressured by this and wanted to decline this as fast as possible since I was very socially anxious at the time. I'd have much preferred the game telling me of it's existence if its own volition giving me the option to think about it and work up the nerve to join when I'm ready. I think that would go a long way to making it more accessible to players in general but especially the anxious ones (since you wouldn't even have to ask for an invite.)

[RajNish]

Even if it wouldn't fix the problem 100% I think it could harvest a lot of bad ones out from the system.

Yep, I hope it will work better.

Relevant though is something arbitary

As I said before for PvE mentors it can be following:

ARR, Heavensward, Stormblood and Shadowbringers, including dungeons and trials, same as in the current system.

I do not know what can be offered to crafters and gatherers, because I am not involved in crafting. However, I see now that many achieve the title of craft mentor, raising one crafter and one gatherer to 80 and crafting / gathering 100/300 collectibles, respectively. After the SE raised the requirements to 1,500 recommendations, most people began to farm the crown icon through gathering and crafting, and I think this is a bad trend. I doubt that all these people will rush to help the new player, telling him the details and features of crafting / gathering.

[RyuSaarva]

In that case, these measures -

- are really needed.
It is unlikely that people who have passed over 2,000 dungeons will be unsure of mechanics, and the button of complaint against the mentor, who was not ashamed to wear the crown insulting newbies and not performing their obligations, will be a good "cold shower."
'Сause by accepting the agreement on what the duties of a mentor are, the player assumes obligations.
And the words that mentors are not obliged to anyone, unfortunately, do not work.

Square does not know how to make blacklisted people not appear in duties, personally I have never blacklisted anyone who was not RMT so if you meet so many people who deserve to be blacklisted, I think something is wrong about you and not the others.

[PyurBlue]

On an unfamiliar class 80 lvl, ok.

It's very easy in a game like this one where you can level without half of your skills. If your roulette luck is poor you might never see content above 70 until you actually hit the cap.

2. Focus on the number of completed dungeons for PVE mentors (2,000 dungeons, for example), completed role quests and completed relevant content.

Obtaining mentor status is already more of a slog than trying to meet some kind of qualification. Eventually, anyone will hit the comm and dungeon requirements. The same would be the case no matter how high you put the requirement and remember that the mentor mount already requires 2000 mentor roulette runs. I don't think people will be scared away from an exclusive icon by 2000 dungeon runs.

Getting mentor should be more about willingness to help and ability than just having enough time in the game.

Heck I would rather they went with a point system where for instance, leveling dungeons are 1 point, 50/60/70 dungeons are 2, level 80 content is 3 points, raids are worth 2 points, trials are worth 2 points, extreme trials are worth 4, savage clears are worth 10 points, ultimates are worth 30 points, etc and you just need x points instead of commendations.

Something like this makes more sense to me than comms, though anyone can still get it eventually as they play more content. I wonder how much work it would take to have a qualification trial for each role at the Smith. Go through a short but moderately challenging battle as a tank, as a healer, and then as a DPS. This would at least try to measure player ability directly and it wouldn't lock out good mentors just because they happened to learn the game quickly.

[MomomiMomi]

2. Focus on the number of completed dungeons for PVE mentors (2,000 dungeons, for example), completed role quests and completed relevant content.

Funny thing about this. I have over 300 days of playtime and have not done 2000 dungeons/trials. I do have 3300 commendations, though, so I guess I'm set for the next time they raise that, at least.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

Funny thing about this. I have over 300 days of playtime and have not done 2000 dungeons/trials. I do have 3300 commendations, though, so I guess I'm set for the next time they raise that, at least.

I have close to 650 days of playtime, 4000 commendations (I didn't do many dungeons with all pugs for most of 2.x, 3.x, or 4.x, and I leave immediately ) and almost 10000 instanced duties completed.

I definitely meet any requirements they can possibly have for mentor, yet, with the amount of times people have been unresponsive to even the most basic mechanic advice before a fight starts, I rarely offer advice anymore unless people actively use chat.