Is this secret diplomacy

[FabledIntegral]

Let's say I'm helping a guy try to win. I AM in the game as well. However - I'm teaching the guy how to play. In my eyes, I'm unbiased.

Would it be wrong to be TELLING him what to do (I'd explain why) in secret? By no means would I be working with him, I could be telling him to try to kill me in game IF it benefitted him. So it's not necessarily diplomacy - mentoring rather.

I see how this could be easily abused if allowed tbh - so I'm just inquiring.

[joecoolfrog]

I think you should avoid this at all costs as there will inevitably be some conflict, mentor the other player in games that you are not participating in.

[oVo]

If you are "helping the guy to win" as mentor but are also an active participant in the game, it is difficult to maintain an "unbiased" position and is easily seen as a conflict of interest as well as possibly being unfair to other players in the game. joecoolfrog's suggestion to do it as an observer in a game that you are not part of is best... or maybe a doubles game where you have 'team chat' do explain moves and strategies without tipping off your opponants.

I'm also thinking that if you were to discuss strategy and explain power positions on the map... as opposed to telling him what moves to make that it might not be misconstrued as a secret alliance.

[SuicidalSnowman]

If teaching someone else is the main goal, why not post it in game chat for everyone to see?

You might even get some additional feedback.

[t-o-m]

If teaching someone else is the main goal, why not post it in game chat for everyone to see?

Would you post your tactics in game chat?

[Mr Changsha]

If your pupil is as inexperienced as I am with escalating cards, I am fairly sure you could direct him in a way that would help you to victory without him being aware of it.

But this is a hypothetical question, right?

I help one of the guys in the office with his 2.1 games and often set his strategies for him. This is of course fine. Joining one of his games and helping him make his moves as well as my own would obviously not be fine at all. In fact, I am fairly sure it would be considered cheating, no?

[SuicidalSnowman]

If teaching someone else is the main goal, why not post it in game chat for everyone to see?

Would you post your tactics in game chat?

Obviously not, but if I were tutuoring or mentoring someone, I could see benefit in explaining your moves in chat, such as:

I deployed on Middle East in order to build up some troops near the middle, and this gives me a chance to possibly eliminate Cyan.

This allows your mentoree to see tactics and thinking in action. Anyone who has some experience probably already understands this. I would imagine you wouldn't go into advanced tactics like this, but it would be smart for a new player. Also, since you already did this, it doesn't really change the game at all.

You could also offer advice, in game chat, such as:

"You should consider deploying in Eastern United States and attacking to Central America to pick up an easy card. I would avoid going into South America at this point because you will be wasting your armies."

This is great for a new player to see how things work by doing them. I don't see how it violates any rules, but I could be wrong.

Again, an advanced player will already be two steps ahead of this. A fellow Cook or New Recruit will benefit from this. Also, someone might throw out into the game chat, "Hey, that sounds like a bad idea since Yellow is about to turn in cards and has been trying for the North America bonus all game!"

I don't know about everyone else, but I wouldn't complain if someone did this in one of my games. I wouldn't even mind losing a few points in this manner, since I would think if you are serious about this site and your games, you would have plenty others running to ignore one training exercise that you might have lost anyways.

[Azathoth]

If teaching someone else is the main goal, why not post it in game chat for everyone to see?

Would you post your tactics in game chat?

Would you skip bootcamp and run the trenches green with a drill sergeant whispering into your ear?

Aside from the absurd notion of a whispering drill-sergeant, you don't typically learn by winning every game you play. Holding tactics close to your chest is a play-to-win strategy, not a play-to-learn strategy.

Secret mentoring alters the play environment, and alters the odds -- even if you have the best of intentions. As many have said, avoid it -- either make your own games or try to get everyone playing to mentor your friend. Many would happily do so!

[gdeangel]

Given the number of mentors out there, as well as the purported activities in the society of cooks, I've got to think some people have had direct experience with this question before. My 2c: if you really want to help the guy, do some team games where there is no restriction on side-bars. Or even a 1v1 where nobody else gets affected but you...