How to stop being a toxic player, made easy.

Hello, former toxic player here.

I was hit with my first chat ban 5 days ago. I was upset, to say the least. I am a highly social person and love talking to people. One thing I did wrong previously was get in arguments. If I was having a bad game, and someone would say "Irelia stfu you're bad", I would actually reply with anger, right back at them. I thought "I'll show them. What are they doing wrong? Let's point it out." Then, an argument started. I would argue the whole game, trying to prove I'm not bad and just having a bad game. While this is happening, the whole game is falling apart. Literally. While you are busy typing, you are getting killed because you can't delete chat fast enough to move. Your team morale is dropping because they have two people just fighting. People behind the keyboards tend to be completely different than how they are in person. Studies have proven this, and it's because of anonymity, and the fact that this game is free. If you have nothing to risk but making a new account-what is there to lose in being rude? That's how some people look at it. Let's face it, you're going to encounter rude, toxic people. It's time you learned how to deal with them before you start making the mistakes I did.

My first tip for you is to never argue back with someone, or say anything remotely negative to a toxic player. They are human beings too; and more than likely they are not having a good day themselves. They might take this game too seriously, they might have had something happen to a family member. We all have those days when we get upset and say something we don't mean to the dog or a family member/friend. Along with that, responding with more toxicity (IE:) "Oh, thats coming from the xerath thats 1/8/3. Your opinion is really worth something." does nothing but antagonize the other person. That makes them more upset, whether they are just an angry person, or having a bad day. My advice to you is to reply with an apology. I know that sometimes it's hard. "Oh, I'm just supposed to take these insults?". Yeah, I know its difficult. It's hard to. However, one thing that has really helped me was empathizing with other people in the game. If someone has something negative to say, whether it be "stop feeding retard", or "report this idiot shaco", just either mute the other person (Do NOT tell them "I'm muting you and reporting you." because that is antagonizing.), or simply say "I'm sorry, I'm not having the best game.". If they have anything negative to say after that, mute them. After the game is over, report them with specifics. "IE: Report for Verbal abuse. Called me a POS, told me to go die", whatever they decide to say, reports with specifics are worth more than just simply pressing report.

You might be asking, why is it important to not argue/cuss back at them? It's simple. You will get reported, just like I did. You're not the only one seeing the argument between you and the other person. Even if its two people upset with you, same rules apply. If you argue with someone, everyone else on the team is seeing what you are saying. You are potentially getting reported by five people. That racks up extremely fast. Especially if this is in all chat. I highly recommend you turn all chat off. It does provide some friendly banter/jokes, but if someone in /all insults you or your teammates, same rules apply. Even more so in all chat. I was chat restricted withing level 1-25, because I was always arguing and fighting back and trying to prove a stranger wrong. The people are are rude and toxic-you more than likely won't ever encounter them again. There is no reason to give in and fight back with someone. Really, there isn't. You are wasting your time, and making yourself look toxic, also.

My second tip, is to never offer tips to someone that is having a bad game/playing a champion wrong, unless they directly ask for it. People, even myself, do not like to be told how to better themselves. More often than not, we already know what we are doing wrong, and you are throwing salt on a wound. Nine times out of ten, if you try to help someone out it only comes off as criticizing them, and that's just another way to get reported. You could be reported for negative attitude, or a random report that they want. Even if it's not true, that stuff racks up. Trust me. If you are going to offer some help, be literally as nice as possible. "Hey fizz, when I started playing fizz I had some real trouble too. Here is a guide that helped me out alot, check it out and feel free to add me if you have questions!". Do that stuff after the game is over, because people are less "on the spot" so to speak, and they can copy and paste any advice/guides you give. The way you say things can really change how you "come off" as a person. There is a huge difference between "here is this guide fizz it might help you lol", and the sincere statement that I made above.

My last tip is to be POSITIVE. No matter what. If you are winning a game and bot lane is feeding massively, remember, it's a game. It's just a game. It's free, too, so it's even less prevalent to have strong emotions towards. If you're team just got trampled in a teamfight, it's okay. "We can get the next one guys. Lets group up and do this." One simple statement can contribute to the whole outcome of a game. Positive attitude give positive feelings, and that in turn keeps team morale high. My games have literally CHANGED 180 degrees, and I have never been happier. I can honestly say that I have won more games being positive, than by being negative.

Overall, being a toxic player does nothing but hurt other people, and your win rate. Regardless of ranked gameplay, or normal. There are real people behind those champions. And believe it or not, the stuff you say hurts people. I can tee that being positive can do nothing but help you improve as a player, and keep you from being reported. Ever since I started being positive, I have loved these games, even the losses. There is no more arguing or fighting, and it's overall just been a good time playing. Always compliment your teammates. Your ezreal pull through and gets a really good ult killshot? "NJ ezreal". That makes someone else positive, and people will do it back for you, when you do something good. It's happened to me. This works really well, even if someone is upset at you, because it makes them calm down thinking that they are doing good. If someone wants to get upset at you, let them. Don't give in and fight back. If they start to offend you, get angry while you click that mute button. That will show them who is boss.

Good luck on the field, and don't forget those wards!