The Novice Network

[Renalt]

The Novice Network was something that sounded amazing on paper but the single flaw is anything run by the people is bound to crash and burn. There needs to be an actual moderator for it.

Each server has a widely different experience with NN just because people are left unchecked.

When I was in Faerie...the NN was actual a decent example of what it could be. Yeah it was used as a global chat for 90% of it but anytime a sprout had a question or even if they simply said "hey I need help with x content" people jumped at the chance to help.

However OTHER NNs have had mentors who straight up power trip and treat it like their own personal chat. If you don't follow the rules THEY lay out or they simply don't like you...you'll be kicked. At least all kicks aren't permanent so you can always come back. Unfortunately so can they.

[Toutatis]

Regardless of the requirements, people would grind them at least for the status symbol they perceive the BK crown has, and not because they wish to be helpful or because it supposedly proves they know what they're doing. I like to help and used to run training runs in swtor and in this game for fc/guild members.

I personally hide my mentor crown (crafting and battle) and I know a few people who do the same thing. The crown looks silly. Unfortunately it shows up in roulette which is ok as people have to know I am there to help if needed though the primary role of mentor roulette seems to be filling groups. I wish the mentor symbol was less ostentatious than the golden crown.

I saw a mentor kick someone for speaking another language. The very first thing it says in the network is "All languages welcome."

Happened to me. I even got kicked as a mentor for answering to someone in Spanish (the question was in Spanish and I am more comfortable in that language too) after someone said English please.

I think the fifteen hundred commendations is already a good indicator that the player has played quite the amount of duties in the game and an indicator of experience with normal content. Mentors cannot be expected to know all high end duties nor expected to help all the time. We're just like every other player enjoying our time at our own paces, and sometimes would help when available.

I agree. While I like extremes, as someone who has joined the game a little late, there are a few lvl 70 extremes for which I was never able to get a synched group. Not for failing to try, PF just wouldn't fill and I don't have all day. I still think that I have a decent understanding of them having watched vids and soloing as tank a while ago (I have to know how Suzaku/Shinryu work to survive as tank on those 2) but it's not quite the same. Chances are those will never pop in the roulette but it's not impossible.

I remember being really happy when I earned my Mentor role, because I genuinely love helping people. But walking into the Novice Network was like:



It was just a nasty, mean, toxic place, full of Mentors abusing their power. I tried for a few days on the off-chance that it was a fluke, but it wasn't. I left and haven't been back since. Turned off my crown too, because I don't want to be associated with that kind of toxicity.

I no longer join Novice Network. It's toxic, often filled with misogynistic comments too. I prefer to help outside of NN.

[tsuchii]

I agree. While I like extremes, as someone who has joined the game a little late, there are a few lvl 70 extremes for which I was never able to get a synched group. Not for failing to try, PF just wouldn't fill and I don't have all day. I still think that I have a decent understanding of them having watched vids and soloing as tank a while ago (I have to know how Suzaku/Shinryu work to survive as tank on those 2) but it's not quite the same. Chances are those will never pop in the roulette but it's not impossible.

The only level 70 extreme I ever saw out of 2000 roulettes is Rathalos. I got it DAILY. LOL - not an exaggeration.
The rest are ARR and the occasional Thordan and Bismark. I never saw the other 60 extremes queued. I've only cleared Thordan once. It is nearly unteachable and most mentors who get trapped in it doesn't know the mechanics either.