FF14 is not made for hardcore players.

[DPZ2]

And as this is a cooperative game, your performance does matter as it impacts other players. They have just as much a right to voice their opinions as you.

There is a difference between 'opinion', 'critique' and 'offering advice'. The problem is that some appear to assume opinion = advice.

I assume you are talking specifically about the forums themselves, where opinions are well within bounds.

Give 'opinions' of play style to another player in-game and yes, you've crossed a boundary line.

[Ayuhra]

There is a difference between 'opinion', 'critique' and 'offering advice'. The problem is that some appear to assume opinion = advice.

I assume you are talking specifically about the forums themselves, where opinions are well within bounds.

Give 'opinions' of play style to another player in-game and yes, you've crossed a boundary line.

Yeah pretty much this.

Speaking as one of those filthy casuals your raid leader warned you about...

In Heavensward I was worse at the game than I am now. There was a right and wrong way to criticize my performance even then.

WRONG: Once I ran Vault and did badly. I got the pet and the other black mage said "Of COURSE the (censored) Black mage got the pet" (censored being a curse word for bad, probably not the worst word you can think of though I just don't want a forum vacation)

WRONG: Doing badly in a Alexander pug. Someone brought a guild mate into the group to join in on laughing at me. Yes, this happened. I stopped playing the game for a couple years.

RIGHT: Doing badly in a dungeon. The tank said "BLM, you should use your fire spells in this order." This may have been blunt but he gave good advice that I followed and he did not insult me in the process.

What I'm getting at is...recognize that everyone you are grouped with a person. You can criticize and offer advice without being insulting.

[Liam_Harper]

There is a difference between 'opinion', 'critique' and 'offering advice'. The problem is that some appear to assume opinion = advice.

Sure, but the opposite is also true where many players appear to assume advice = opinion.

For example, they receive constructive criticism that can be backed up with math, logic and reliable sources but don't even listen in the first place because "that's just their opinion and I prefer mine", and continue on their way playing Ice Mage, single pulling mobs or spamming Cure I all dungeon.

[linayar]

Sure, but the opposite is also true where many players appear to assume advice = opinion.

For example, they receive constructive criticism that can be backed up with math, logic and reliable sources but don't even listen in the first place because "that's just their opinion and I prefer mine", and continue on their way playing Ice Mage, single pulling mobs or spamming Cure I all dungeon.

So, just to be clear here, the opinion in your scenario is not the math that may certainly say certain playstyles are not as efficient. The opinion is that, therefore, those playstyles should not be used even on content that would still be clearable with those playstyles.

On the other hand, it doesn't really matter if an advice comes with an opinion. If you genuinely think it's good advice, then you should give it unless you're corrected in that it's not a good advice after all. But the other person can still choose not to take the advice regardless.

[Veis_Alveare]

But the other person can still choose not to take the advice regardless.

And if they do so they're being the toxic ones, wasting other people's time.