Mentor list

Im just thinking out loud.....

When I was a lower player -20, Nemi helped me , I was lost, she found me and gave me advice about killing and raising my level, most people that are in a clan will get this advice for free,but im thinking........... if the new players had a list of 'helpers' that ere willing to give up their time to show new people the ropes, then Im sure people would spend more with a purpose and enjoy the game better.

Maybe a 'helpers' list added to chat where advice and friendly tips are passed on to lower members.
I will volenteer to help out the new guys.

Just a thought!, I will go back to sleep now.

I personally think this is a great idea. Not only would it help out the newer players, but may keep some of the flame responses down.

[zenga]

Yes and no. Myself I try to help out new guys when i feel like. But there are many moments i'm busy with other things, or that I just don't feel like doing the extra effort. Basically that means if i'm on such a list that i'm screwed. If i'm not on such a list people won't come and ask my help (if its worth something, thats another thing). This while I could've helped out someone. Because when there is a list most focus to get help will go obviously towards the list.

Now on the other hand, I believe that finding things out yourself is part of the fun in any game as well. Just like finding the right help and building that way new relations with other players. So my guts prefer an organic help system over a forced help system. Next to that, I've seen quite often help attempts that fail, i.e. giving incorrect information or passing urban myths.

However I think that a help channel (civil-uncivil-help) might be a great asset for nodiatis. And that way people can join it whenever they want. The way I understand your post is that you would just make a list with names that new players can contact for help?

well....... Im level 70, bored with the same old farming to bring my mini stats up, some new playes may feel like they dont have the respect from the higher players to ask for help/advice from us guys, Zenga, until I hit lvl 60, I had not contacted you, I thought I was not worthy of a respnce, Im sure others feel the same way with all the lvl 70 guys.
Im sure the lower guys will love a contact list of helpers willing to assist rather than getting ignored or laughed at on the chat pages.
Im not saying we coach them all the way and mould their char to what we believe to be the best, but some advice with the way Nod is when you start playing should take some of the confussion away.

Remember.......... we were all lvl 1 once.

[Tridius]

sweet

[Astor]

1. I agree with this.
2. Was NEVER a N and NEVER a level 1 just putting it out there.
3. Would be 100% willing to be a 'helper'

[zenga]

Yeah I got your point ray. Still it's hard to understand that so called hierarchy for me, but thats another issue. Anyway, I'll just do as I'm doing right now: if someone asks me something I'll do my best to answer and give the correct info/tips.

But I was thinking: maybe such a help thing could be merged with clans. Like a beginner clan where you basically select/train a few guys. Once they are comfortable on their own you kick them out to make room for new guys. It's a pretty good recruiting base for the top clans to get new people as well, so might be worth the effort.

A great idea!

I once played a game a little bit, some asian rpg game i think and there was something similiar there but implemented in another way.

A person when starting the game can choose a mentor, by selecting one out of the list (based on reputation points). When both agree, the high lvl mentor is officially record somewhere and up until the new player is lvl 20, the mentor is being asked questions for help and such ( it doesnt include money help, mostly advise and info).

When the person reaches lvl 20, the mentoring period ends (or call it adoption period) and the mentor that helped the new player recieves a small reward, be it gold or reputation points whatever.

If the new player doesnt like his mentor he can choose to jump to a different one upon agreeing with the new mentor.

This would be a great use for social skills tab.

Great idea, I would love to help set this up if it gets started. I guess something like an active spreadsheet of available mentors and a list of lower level players wishing to be mentored. Not sure about requirements or parameters, but would be glad to help in any way I can. Have mentored in tons of other games before^^

Originally Posted by Music

A great idea!

I once played a game a little bit, some asian rpg game i think and there was something similiar there but implemented in another way.

A person when starting the game can choose a mentor, by selecting one out of the list (based on reputation points). When both agree, the high lvl mentor is officially record somewhere and up until the new player is lvl 20, the mentor is being asked questions for help and such ( it doesnt include money help, mostly advise and info).

When the person reaches lvl 20, the mentoring period ends (or call it adoption period) and the mentor that helped the new player recieves a small reward, be it gold or reputation points whatever.

If the new player doesnt like his mentor he can choose to jump to a different one upon agreeing with the new mentor.

This would be a great use for social skills tab.

Trying my best not to make this a barbed compliment, but that is the first really good idea I've seen from you Music.

I'm totally on board with this idea, although lvl 20 is a bit high... maybe lvl 10 - 15...? (Able to obtain & use the first travel gear at this point)

Myself, I tend to take on 1 or 2 new players at random that cross my path. Random acts of kindness ftw!

Im allways here for Beastmaster info an advice.

Originally Posted by Emperor006

Trying my best not to make this a barbed compliment, but that is the first really good idea I've seen from you Music.

I'm totally on board with this idea, although lvl 20 is a bit high... maybe lvl 10 - 15...? (Able to obtain & use the first travel gear at this point)

Myself, I tend to take on 1 or 2 new players at random that cross my path. Random acts of kindness ftw!

You should visit forums more :P

And thanks, though not really my idea, I just kind of explained it.

[flipynifty]

I had already suggested a Help chat room to Jeff, where people that want to help can hang in and help the nubs

[Jon]

Wolfpack has it's own mentoring system. Those who can't take it..leave.

Moving to the subject at hand:

I think mentors should be categorised according to class in the afore-mentioned help channel, if it gets implemented.

Obviously, warriors would know best how to lvl a warrior. Same applies to archers, vamps, and all the other classes.

Originally Posted by Jon

Wolfpack has it's own mentoring system. Those who can't take it..leave.

Moving to the subject at hand:

I think mentors should be categorised according to class in the afore-mentioned help channel, if it gets implemented.

Obviously, warriors would know best how to lvl a warrior. Same applies to archers, vamps, and all the other classes.

Not really Jon..all melees lvls almost same way coz there is only 1 'normal' way, except maybe shield users.. if u lvl DA from 26 to 31 1st , or crit or anything, still doesnt make any difference since its trivial. Teh point is, if u lvl Melee class, just ask ANY high lvl melee who knows a shiet and thats it.

[Sarek]

Not a bad idea at all and something that is not necessarily lacking here, but something that does seem to get overlooked or hidden along the way. A few points to follow.

With regards to the "respect/worthiness" or lack thereof that newer players feel towards higher levels, think of it as a typical high school. (I say typical as I had a smaller high school that didn't really fall into this social stratus idea). When a freshman, most were in awe of the seniors. Mostly not for any reason than the fact that they were seniors and deemed important. The same can be thought of here, where the level 70s are "cool." Not that they aren't. Most that I've talked to are great people. But there is that lower level stigma that people think they aren't worth anything unless they've achieved something. Or that they have to be a certain level in order to earn the right to speak to the higher levels. Not saying that this is the case all the time, but certainly I believe that this is the mentality of a great many. It's also known as the "new person" mentality. Most of the higher levels have been playing this for a while, if not the entirety of the game's existence and are good friends. Some may feel that because of this, they're invading in some inner circle of sorts when approaching a higher up.

As far as a mentor/advisory board. This can work. Be it with a list of people or an additional channel. However, having spearheaded a mentor team on an rpg/writing forum, there are a few things that I can suggest that will hopefully help this idea along.

1. A list of those willing to aid newer players would be very helpful. It has been said that there are times when people are too busy to help, or just want to get something else done with their time online. No problem, really. Set yourself afk, or just simply explain to the person that you are busy at that time. With luck, there will be enough people willing to help that someone else can be contacted.

2. A detailed list of what helpers/mentors will and will not do needs to be put in place. This comes from experience. They would be available to answer (intelligent) questions and offer advice when it comes to the game. As stated by someone prior, they aren't a bank, they aren't a bosskiller, etc. If people want to arrange something like this privately, that's perfectly fine, but it should not be expected.

3. Updated and stickied FAQ. It seems that the same questions are asked about 50 times a day, varying from "when does my rested time fill?" to "how iz I equip mongoose?" I know a lot is covered in the current FAQ, and this should be something that new players are directed to immediately. Jeff, is there anyway that some sort of message can be displayed for new people when they first sign up? Granted, I know that this does nothing to make them actually read it, but it might cut down on the questions that are answered there. We see how well the tutorial works for new people who ask things that are explained there 2 minutes after the tutorial is done.

4. A list of things that new people are required to do before seeking help would also be helpful. This will cut down on the aggravation of answering questions that can be found in the tutorial or FAQ.

Anyway, my two cents on the idea. I believe that it is a great suggestion and would be a great addition to the community and I would be willing to lend a hand as well. I'm far from an expert on the game as I still learn stuff everyday, but as Zenga said, that's part of the fun.