While I got lynched when my cc was obvious mafia, I can say with confidence that some of the logic I presented got to one or two of the townies heads. They might use sub-par logic, but they are willing to listen if you don't rage caps lock spam on them. I still got lynched, but I could tell they were considering what I was saying, because they were constantly unvoting. It was a bit chaotic because of the mafia, but that's fine.
Because 'training players' never got exposed to better play, they don't know any better. They are content with their strategies. But when they get to see new plays from experienced players, it could give them the incentive to do better and try to be like them, since they have seen it first hand. They might want to learn how to be a better scumhunter "how does he find the mafia so easily". I know when I played as a beginner during the era of the single lobby, I have learned a lot from the better players, since I was there to witness the play first hand.
As a training lobby native since the creation of this account, I have noticed little to no difference in the merge. Things have operated just like they always have. It's like mixing one drop of food coloring into a liter of water, imo, leaving only a negligible tinge with the rest of the water being fine.
But as the food colouring disperses through the liquid, it fades in colour.
Hmm well what can I say. I've played a few very nice games in main. I also don't mind to play with new people and explaining some stuff. It gets frustrating when you try to explain stuff but people don't listen to a word you say and completely ruin the game experience. Unfortunately that happened too.
On the other hand I've also 'enjoyed' comp games in the best where people did nothing but bickering and screaming.
I guess it just needs a bit of time. I sure hope so :)
There is zero stopping you from making a party table in Main. You can make it passworded and post the link on the forums if you only want your friends to join.
Or alternatively you can just use skype to chat or something.