"It Wouldn't Have Made A Difference"

Tentacle Advisor·Nov 19, 2016·3 votes·242 views

Am I the only one who gets triggered by this response after giving an honest alternative to someone's build path? I don't mean in the toxic "hey, you're building like an idiot. build this item instead, stupid." kind of way. I mean in a "I believe you're losing because you have 'X' item. You should build 'Y' item instead, because..." kind of way. Like, seriously, am I the only one?

It just makes me wonder how the person's thought process works. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. Like, if it wouldn't have made a difference, then why not give it a try anyway? And also, how can you know that it wouldn't make a difference if you haven't already tried it?

7 Comments

AeroWaffleNov 19, 20162 votes

"I believe you're losing because you have 'X' item. You should build 'Y' item instead, because..."

The common issue with offering criticism is that the action has already been completed, and most of the time it's too late to take it back. Items for example, once bought only refunds around 70% of the cost sold (assuming they left the platform). This would likely make switching to your proposed items an even worse decision since they likely couldn't afford it and could only buy pieces.

"Try building 'Y' in some of your other games. I believe that it works better than 'X' because...". Or "Give 'Y' a try in other games when <situation that calls for the item>"

With the above, you offer a suggestion for next game, imply that it's your opinion rather than pushing it as fact, and leave out that you believe that their choice of items is the cause of the current situation.

But in the end, people are pretty salty when they're doing poorly, and many are ready to snap back at anything no matter how politely you put it. Just take it as a sign that they don't want to be bothered.

ReadyxPlayerxOneNov 19, 20162 votes

{quoted}

"I believe you're losing because you have 'X' item. You should build 'Y' item instead, because..."

The common issue with offering criticism is that the action has already been completed, and most of the time it's too late to take it back. Items for example, once bought only refunds around 70% of the cost sold (assuming they left the platform). This would likely make switching to your proposed items an even worse decision since they likely couldn't afford it and could only buy pieces.

"Try building 'Y' in some of your other games. I believe that it works better than 'X' because...". Or "Give 'Y' a try in other games when <situation that calls for the item>"

With the above, you offer a suggestion for next game, imply that it's your opinion rather than pushing it as fact, and leave out that you believe that their choice of items is the cause of the current situation.

But in the end, people are pretty salty when they're doing poorly, and many are ready to snap back at anything no matter how politely you put it. Just take it as a sign that they don't want to be bothered.

Much of the time when I offer this kind of advice it's WORTH selling whatever they got or they should build it for their very next item.

Tentacle AdvisorNov 19, 20161 votes

{quoted}

Much of the time when I offer this kind of advice it's WORTH selling whatever they got or they should build it for their very next item.

I never intend for a person to simply sell the item they have that isn't working, unless they have a full build already. But, if the item is simply not helping them, I try to suggest they'd build the proposed item as their very next option.

ReadyxPlayerxOneNov 19, 20162 votes

Definitely frustrating when you see someone doing something blatantly wrong and their response to your helpful criticism is either to be ignored or be flamed.

Tentacle AdvisorNov 19, 20161 votes

Indeed, it is. I can understand if I were just flat out flaming them for their item choices, because that'd be wrong in itself. However, I never give out suggestions in any tone, besides calm and honest, because I know how much heavier tones hurt morale.

HrynaNov 19, 20162 votes

It's okay to offer advice, but asking people to always follow it for whatever reason is kind of abusive. Like, let people do what they do. Did you try to convince them? Yes. Did it work? No. Okay, then leave it alone.

Tentacle AdvisorNov 19, 20161 votes

I mean, it's not like I try to enforce that my suggested option is always the best option for a given situation. I just suggest it for that very moment within the game that's being played. It's not even the idea of the player ignoring me that triggers me because I'm not forcing them to listen. What triggers me is the idea of the player not even considering my advice while flat out ignoring me because 'it wouldn't have worked anyway'. I mean, I am their teammate, after all. And, as such, I want them to do well in the game so that we can all bask in a possible victory screen. Giving advice to another team member shouldn't label me as abusive.