Boards›[ARCHIVED] Miscellaneous

How To Deal With a Toxic Teammate

FarRockBF·4/22/2015, 12:53:46 PM·105 votes·9,247 views

If someone was to ask you "how would you deal with a toxic teammate you would answer either "I mute them", or "I ignore them". Fact is, most people do neither. The reason is because in the heat of the game it is very hard to think logically and people often react without thinking things through.

This issue is identical to one I faced when I was a camp counselor for second graders many years ago. There was a bully who would pick on the other kids and they always REACTED without thinking; they first tried to retaliate and then began crying. So I devised a system for them and it crushed the bully. It worked so well; I figured let's try it on League.

The Vegetable System

What to do: When someone rages, is toxic, or rude towards you simply reply with a vegetable. For example: "WTF man, why did you call bot lane if you suck at ADC so bad??" You respond: "Avocado" or "Carrots".

What it does:

A. Instead of feeling beat-down you feel smug B. Toxic person will very quickly learn that he is getting no where and will give up.

Retaliation is necessary sometimes. It is very hard to focus and play well or even enjoy them game when your ego has taken a beating. This is the most passive form of retaliation; you aren't saying ANYTHING negative about the other player yet you feel good that you have said your piece.

This might seem very weird but I encourage you to try it. Next time you meet a toxic player in game try the Vegetable System.

89 Comments

Carrotz4/22/2015, 5:17:24 PM57 votes

But then I'll think your calling me all game and it might throw me off my game!

9baksQuJhb4/22/2015, 1:31:06 PM24 votes

Why not fruit? Soraka

ResponsibleDad4/22/2015, 1:10:54 PM19 votes

As a responsible dad I can tell you that such systems do indeed work.

FarRockBF4/22/2015, 4:13:14 PM10 votes

God dammit GD you are so hard to read. I was certain I was going to be pounded with down-votes. summoner 31

Sáx Man4/22/2015, 5:20:04 PM8 votes

To play devils advocate: I was a camp counselor for 7th graders for 2 years. In order for the ones that were misbehaving to understand what they were doing wrong, in most cases you could not simply say a random word that was off-topic to divert their attention or confuse them. Both years when i was there, there were a few kids that didn't want to follow the rules. Those people wanted attention, and acknowledging that they were disturbing people is what made them happy. What worked best to deal with these people was first to tell the other students to ignore the instigator, and if he/she persists, then a punishment is to follow.

I believe it's similar in league. We're not dealing with second graders that have a much lower cognitive base, we're dealing people that, for the most part, are our age. Someone that is spamming chat and/or throwing death threats to other players is not going to stop once you respond because you're giving them acknowledgement, even if it doesn't pertain to what the person is saying.

You also make the argument about "not thinking logically" while in this sort of situation. If the person has already said enough to throw you off-game, then you've waited too long to utilize the mute button and chances are they won't think logically of another way to handle it. Muting a player is faster than typing a response, and doesn't draw you into the problem.

The best way to deal with people that are truly a problem is to mute them and play the game as you would otherwise. Then you can report them after the game. Don't waste time responding to someone, even if it's just one word. Most of these people are hoping to get some sort of reaction out of you, and no matter how you view it, they will think that they're getting to you.

BeatzBoyFTW4/22/2015, 1:41:16 PM8 votes

When I dived into a 1v5 under turret as Garen and got one kill anyway despite being killed

Udyr : Omg, you stupid idiot, wtf you dived that for? Garen : Cz Demacia

tempname129c4/22/2015, 10:39:07 PM5 votes

Kakarot.

gr8job4/23/2015, 1:36:03 PM4 votes

As a person who was bullied mercilessly for many years, I can confirm that the use of non-sequitur responses is the best device to mitigate it. As you said, victims of bullies are forced to react without thinking, and that's what they get off on. They attack what they perceive to be a weak point, and they don't expect you to have the gumption react in a way which is meaningful to them. Even if you say nothing, their work is done. They said what they wanted to say, and they think you're weaker for it. Your retaliation or self-defense enhances this feeling even more. Unless you can find a weak point to attack as well (which can break the TOS of this game, as well as be difficult to find if you're not a predatory individual like they are,) saying something completely random is the most effective route to throw them off. My preferred method is responses revolving around the word "dad" (I will say "my dad told me to," "my dad," "ok dad," or just "dad,") but vegetables work too. :)

SciencePrime4/24/2015, 3:00:29 PM3 votes

This is hilarious. It would even be funnier if Rito instituted some system where a small vegetable graphic popped over your head any time you said it. lol

Shroom Junkie4/22/2015, 2:38:49 PM3 votes

Upvote for laughs oh and way to rek dem trolls <3

Ternt4/22/2015, 1:01:25 PM3 votes

I laughed lol. Good post sir.

Hyrum Graff4/22/2015, 8:22:28 PM3 votes

I use the mute system, liberally.

Like, if I have a reasonable suspicion that a player will be toxic (ie, they say something not toxic but rude in pre-game or pre-1:55), I'll immediately mute them.

Most of my games are good games. That is to say, in most games I don't know which player is toxic unless others respond to them directly, in which case I request that they not talk about matters unrelated to winning the game.

Qarekeo8/19/2015, 5:42:39 AM2 votes

I like how you're applying a system devised for 2nd graders to deal with what are most likely adults.

Bravo

ShaftyMegee4/22/2015, 5:30:20 PM2 votes

I tell them how hot they are making me feel... getting so hard off you getting angry

prozak824/22/2015, 5:38:02 PM2 votes

I dunno that seems like it could get em riled up more. usually youre just better off not responding at all IMO

Fredart4/22/2015, 5:43:34 PM2 votes

I find that returning fire is more fun than just taking it, sorry im not christian, i sir will not turn the other cheek.

Krigjer4/22/2015, 5:47:54 PM2 votes

I try to logically discuss things with my teammates before I mute them if they're being toxic.

I recently had an Olaf tell me how much I sucked. I asked him what I should do differently, and explained why I did was I did as the issue came up. I wanted him to at least understand my train of thought as I played. When he told me I was too bad for him to carry, I gave up and muted him.

But LOL I'll start responding with random things now.

Xietnin4/22/2015, 5:53:02 PM2 votes

I absolutely love killing them with kindness and all, but there are some that you can't get through to. Potato. =)

IcyPepper4/22/2015, 5:58:16 PM2 votes

What to do: When someone rages, is toxic, or rude towards you simply reply with a vegetable. For example: "WTF man, why did you call bot lane if you suck at ADC so bad??" You respond: "Avocado" or "Carrots".

I... just can't even. Omg.

I'm so going to try this.

Penta Penguin4/22/2015, 7:48:50 PM2 votes

This wouldn't help anything

The epic leet "i have to carry" people literally sit there for half an hour and just type shit at you after they give up and "afk" or start feeding

don't be a 2nd grader and just mute them

Transgressor4/22/2015, 8:49:27 PM2 votes

Won't work when the flamer is intentionally feeding anyways. You can mute the entire universe but that won't change the fact that they're 2/18/4 with 40 cs at 18 minutes despite you not being exposed to toxicity thanks to the mutes. :/

wangfanzzZ4/23/2015, 2:57:39 AM2 votes

toxic troll here,except in ranked where i'm a nice guy believe it or not, best way to counter a toxic teammate it to tell them to chill, don't let them know you're mad,raging,etc. Make them think you dont give a fuckTeemo

58738074DEL14/24/2015, 6:56:45 AM1 votes

[deleted]

Budupops4/23/2015, 1:18:10 AM1 votes

lol seems like that is reportable for refusing to communicate

Declined5/3/2015, 7:27:38 PM1 votes

Nice mental trick, I've searched far and wide for this answer as I did a bit of research on the human psychology and I needed a 'neat' answer that I could use as a reference in the guide I wrote.

Which I am informing you off here, if you disagree, I can remove it, but I'd very much like to get your consent.

NA and EU version, almost identical except for the fact that it has been stickied on EU.

Sohleks5/5/2015, 7:50:16 PM1 votes

Haygo vaygo Gnar

oeL8/1/2015, 12:34:44 PM1 votes

avocado

Linthe4/22/2015, 5:24:34 PM1 votes

Funny, I agree. Also sounds like a good way to get reported: failure to communicate.