(Note: AI helped me organize my thoughts, but this is directly from my experience navigating the platform.)
When you first join this community, it can feel overwhelmingly confusing. One minute you're trying to figure out forum rules, and the next you're looking at complex game guides, energy mechanics, and field guide submissions.
For many of us coming in, a lot of information just gets dumped on our screens all at once, leaving us scrambling to make sense of how everything connects.
Most of what I’ve learned so far hasn't come from reading long technical guides—it came from working through it step-by-step with other members who were trying to figure it out at the same time, or asking around in group chats. While people are often kind enough to answer questions in groups, relying on informal group chats means a lot of new players still get left in the dark.
If this platform is truly built on trust, community, and equal opportunity, we need a better, built-in way to bridge the gap between new members and experienced ones.
Here is what I think would make a huge difference:
1. An Official "Elder Mentorship" Program
Instead of leaving new players to scramble or figure things out on WhatsApp/Discord groups, create a structured role or system where "Elders" (higher-level players) are assigned or rewarded for guiding a cohort of new players through their first week.
2. Incentives for Mentors
Higher-level players have busy routines on the site, so give them a clear incentive to help! If an Elder mentors a new player through their first successful Field Guide submission or forum post, the mentor could earn a small energy bonus or community recognition badge.
3. A Dedicated "Newbie Q&A" Hub in the Forum
Right now, tips are scattered everywhere. Having one simple, dedicated spot on the forum where new members can ask "dumb questions" without feeling lost—and where verified higher-level members get rewarded for dropping daily quick tips—would make the onboarding process so much smoother.
Final Thought
Learning on your own is doable, but it shouldn't have to feel like a trial by fire. Turning the natural willingness of community members into an actual built-in mentorship system would make new players stick around longer and make the platform feel much more welcoming.
Question for the community:
For those who have been here longer, what was the one thing that helped you finally "get" how the platform worked when you first started?