On the Mute Button, More Trolls, and "Carrying" --- An Open Letter to Players

Dear Summoners,

I'd like to discuss how to properly use the Mute Function: Don't tell people they are muted. It's not uncommon for people to see that and become offended and feed on purpose or leave you to die. If a person is toxic, just mute them and wait. If something big happens, like if your team destroys a turret, unmute them for a bit. It's not impossible that frustration can cause toxicity, so see if it's passed. If it hasn't, that's what the report function is for. But if you tell them that they are muted, you increase your chances of them trolling. And use the mute function! Use it if you have to, but do not start a game by muting everyone and expecting a win.

To go off that point, the other problem is the silent players. The ones who say nothing but what role they are taking. These people are usually first or second pick and don't really NEED to talk in champ select, though they should. There is no way to deal with these people, the only time they will talk is to blame, or to demand.

Carries will rarely carry, as well. Their bravado will kill them when they think they can counter. They will blame others, even if they have not left their lane, or had nothing to do with the 1v1 trade. They will blame the jungler for no ganks, despite the average level of the game.

Ultimately, YOU have more control over the game than you give yourself credit for. Know that people, regardless of role, will go for an easy kill. Perhaps you give one every now and then. Maybe you give praise where it's not necessarily needed. Maybe you stay mostly quiet yourself, only saying what is needed when you are recalling or in the death timer. Maybe you hug turret a bit more than you want so that you can get a better read on the enemies combo leads. Maybe you forfeit when you don't want. Maybe you disable all chat. Maybe you mute the ping sounds. Maybe you ping until it times you out. Maybe you don't Blue or Red at level 10. Maybe you build Magic Resistance rather than pure Ability Power. Maybe you buy an item with more utility. Maybe you encourage your team mates instead of telling them how to play. Maybe you give them tips instead of belittling them? Maybe you admit you don't really know your roles mechanics perfectly. Maybe you apologize if you get rude over nothing.

Maybe. No one can make you do anything.