The problem with the mentor system

[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.)