Mentors - What is expected really?

[Kurando]

Nothing changes just because you have a Mentor crown, if you decide to help people or give them tips then do that, but don't think your obliged to because of having that status. Some of the most friendly players aren't Mentors or don't have their crown active so it goes to show how overrated it has become. Like others have mentioned, just be yourself and treat others as you would treat yourself and you'll be fine.

[Lastelli]

The mentor status is so easy to obtain that it actually means nothing. Actually...people with a mentor's crown are usually the worst players in the game.

[Sylvina]

The mentor status is so easy to obtain that it actually means nothing. Actually...people with a mentor's crown are usually the worst players in the game.

That's entirely uncalled for and not even true at all. the worst players are the people who've been playing for only a few days. and it's obviously to be expected if you don't have any practice. People who wear the mentor crown and act appropriately are better than any "pro" player who doesn't regardless of their percentiles.

[Zojha]

It tells you ingame what is expected of you.



Nothing more, nothing less. You don't need to turn it into some sort of higher education practice, just share the knowledge you "do" have and try not to talk too much about things you don't know anything about. High proficiency rarely becomes necessary, as mentors are primarily for newbs and newbs tend to be more concerned with getting their first chocobo than high level rotations.

Players just keep ignoring it entirely, hence why mentors get a bad rep.

[Bubunji]

Don't feel forced to do what you don't want, if you want to give advice/help new people do so the best way you can. If not, well enjoy the game then and keep doing what you do!

[Sylvina]

It's open to interpretation, but the one thing which is most important for being a mentor is that you act nicely especially to new players. the worst mentors aren't the ones who aren't good at the game but the ones who are salty and rude all the time.

the Mentor system doesnt require you to be a good player for a simple reason, its not about that. it's about helping new players learn the game and as long as you have knowledge they don't, you can do that.

[Sylvina]

Mentor does not mean super uber "top" "best" player. Mentor means MENTOR. stop expecting mentors, or anyone for that matter to hold up to these unrealistic and lame expectations. the game is hard enough to play well without people being asses.

[Annah]

The mentor status has been so abused by a lot of mentors, I removed the crown from my name. There are absolutely ZERO oversight from the mentor program.

It's a program SE should just kill off and keep the novice chat open for some folks who were prescreened to moderate it (like other MMOS do)

[Rymm]

1. As a mentor, do you tend to focus on one particular area in this game or do you try to broaden your horizon?

I don't really pursue knowledge with the goal of mentoring other people, I do it to better play the game myself. If someone needs help with a topic that I have a good grasp of, I'll be more than happy to offer it. If they ask something that I don't know the answer to and no one else in NN replies (actually pretty rare on my server, mentors are usually falling over themselves to help sprouts) and I've got the spare time, I'll google it for them and then link them answer so they know how to look it up for themselves in the future.

2 Do you tend to point out if someone is not geared properly?

Only if they ask for advice or it is bad enough that it is hindering the rest of the party, which is honestly very rare. Or if it's extremely obvious that they are confused about what they are supposed to use, like a tank wearing all cloth gear, etc.

3. Do you watch/read guides and try to somewhat "memorize" different instances so that you can better coach our lovely sprouts?

Again, I don't watch guides or memorize anything for the sake of being a mentor. I do it to be a better player. I could watch a guide video for an encounter a million times and I would still be less qualified than a sprout who successfully cleared that encounter once.

4. Are you level 70 on every job including crafting/alchemy?

Almost, I'm working on NIN which is 68 at the moment and will be my last job to 70. Again, this is something I do for myself and has little and less to do with being a mentor. Even after leveling them all, I would say I'm sufficiently qualified on only 2 or 3 DoM/DoWs to give anyone more than the most basic advice.

If I'm going to be honest, you seem just a little too caught up on the idea of being a mentor. I would try to dial it back a little because while it is a very worthy goal and the desire to help others does you a great deal of credit, it could make you come off as a little condescending to some sprouts if you aren't careful and try to act like some grand teacher sent to shepherd the poor little sprouts.

My advice boils down to this: focus on bettering yourself for the sake of being better. Let the knowledge and experience come naturally as you try to improve yourself. Treat sprouts like any other players (or people in general, for that matter,) with courtesy and thoughtfulness. Don't be a doormat or a heel. Offer help without being pushy and be patient while still knowing when to walk away from a lost cause (for your own sake.)

[Canadane]

Glorified queue filler.
Nothing more.