bloodthirstyvampire wrote: »

Problem is elitist sensei might be a horrible teacher

Then he'll get a bad rating, and either shape up or ship out. Easy as that.

So much negativity in this thread.

There was (maybe still is) a WoW server where a guild would take players and teach them how to run dungeons/instances and raids (i.e., don't stand in the fire, etc.).

They had a structured program where they would incrementally take you further and deeper into that type environment, and teach you the basics all the way to the finer points of raiding. They covered both the Alliance and Horde players. Players from other servers were welcome to apply (of course, they had to transfer their character there). As time passed and word spread, they set up guilds on several other servers. I left WoW about 18 months ago so I don't know if this still is done, but it would be really helpful to new players.

But it needs to be developed very carefully before it's implemented otherwise the entire idea could go down the drain.

Nordicly_Responsible wrote: »

I see your point, and my thinking is not just a reward system, but perhaps a rating based reward system. Instead of anyone can queue up for these rewards, it'd be something more like uber (or the star system that got your community ambassador title). Meaning, the person you mentored could rate you. If you were legitimately helpful, then there'd be a little reward. It could be as simple as a non-combat pet. If you were $#!+ then there'd be nothing. And you don't just get a reward for helping people, it'd have to almost be a following, or an achievement type deal where x players rated you a 5* kinda thing. That way, it'd reduce the troll's ability just to "grind newbies" but also incentivise people to be kinder to newer players.

I'm not suggesting this because I care about the rewards. But we were all new once, and while.

First just to clear it up, the forums star system isn't a path to community ambassador, as not all the new ambassadors were high ranked forums posters and there were a number of people who outranked me when I was offered the position.
From my understanding it was recognition of those who spent time helping people on the forums. I also actively answer questions I see on Twitter (not sure if ZOS ever noticed that though).

My issue with a system which publicly states rewards will be given if you achieve X ranking is that everyone will sign up and just do whatever is required for X ranking then leave.
Yes we for a time would see a burst of helpful people answering questions but not because they're nice helpful people or want to build a better community but because they want a shiny thing.

I think it's better without an official program and people who want to help do so, the can build their own reputation for being helpful and constructive members of the community which brings its own rewards.
Now if ZOS said "the last six months these people have helped out and we would like to reward them" that's fine, but it shouldn't be a target or a goal with a path to it, people will abuse that especially for in game items.

I know this probably seems hypercritical coming from me, but it's how I have always seen things and still how I believe things should be.

Unfortunately not everyone is altruistic, so I feel it would be a hard sell unless there was a sort of incentive to it.

That being said, FFXIV's Mentor System is probably the closest to the OP's idea.