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Constructive criticism: does it work for you?

KFCeytron·4/15/2019, 5:07:09 AM·3 votes·7,357 views

We all know that screaming at a teammate for "being bad" etc. doesn't work; no one responds well to that and it's rude. Constructive, courteous criticism is encouraged: for example, telling someone about a new way they can use an ability, like using Aatrox's E during a Q cast, or recommending a specific item, like Adaptive Helm when facing a DoT champion.

But... have you tried doing that? Does the person receiving your friendly and respectful advice actually listen to you? Lately I've noticed that it doesn't seem to work, mostly when encountering people who stick to recommended items with no thought to strategy, viz, stacking armor when the enemy team is literally five mages. When I see what these people build, I try to give my advice in a casual, offhand manner calculated to spark the least possible ire. "btw, you could sell those tabi and buy merc's; they have 5 mages with heavy cc." I get literally no response. No "I don't believe you," no "I don't understand," no "gtfo i h8 u," nothing. It's like I'm not even there.

Polite, constructive criticism is better than flame with no actionable advice, but is "better" enough? Is it actually effective?

22 Comments

Icy Hot Shoto4/15/2019, 5:16:41 AM4 votes

I've actually had people 'respond better' to constructive criticism more than having people yell at them about it. Either they thank me, or they don't say anything at all and either listen to my suggestion or not bother.

Of course, their will always be those people who don't want to hear it at all. But they're not that common that I've seen. And usually, from what I've seen, those who aren't going to listen usually show their toxic and don't care before you can even suggest something to them.

EvilDustMan4/15/2019, 1:16:34 PM2 votes

It's not always effective, no. But you also have to relinquish the concept you can control your teammates. It is more LIKELY to be effective and less LIKELY to cause flame spirals. There are still lots of parameters to the situation you don't know and can't control.

It's more optimal, but not guaranteed by any means.

Judgementhascome4/15/2019, 9:58:50 AM2 votes

Constructive criticism is always going to be a 50-50 type ordeal to individuals. I say that due to the fact that some people; even viewed as constructive, view it as you criticizing them and some do not like admitting to their own faults especially some random stranger pointing it out but that's just because their ego is in play. I don't mind receiving constructive criticism because it shows me what I'm doing wrong and how to go from there and improve. I also don't mind giving people constructive criticism because I am trying to help them but majority of the time, you will get people that just ignore you and just keep doing what they're doing because they can't admit they're playing trash-like.

I don't mind people that are bad; what I mind is people that are bad and do not take any advice given to them. That always irritates me and its because of their fat ego that they can't accept any criticism at all so in that point, I just call them Trash.

Zane Zephyr4/15/2019, 6:02:54 AM2 votes

all you can do is offer it. you cant force them to listen, so all you can do is be as respectful and not condescending as possible and hope for the best.

KillerCryptid4/15/2019, 8:52:28 AM2 votes

I tried doing that in the past but I mostly just get the usual "shut up" or "fuck you" But then again I understand, when I am in that situation, tilted, losing, dying over and over, I probably won't listen, but sometimes I would and it genuinely helped It is just difficult to calm yourself when you are tilted and people often don't work on it.

Jennifer4204/15/2019, 9:21:13 AM2 votes

yes they respond, usually with "stfu noob"

TheXXXorcist4/15/2019, 6:02:39 PM1 votes

I recall giving advice, since the person in question was using a champ that I main and she was my support. I tried to explain how to properly use the skills and all she said was ok but never actually tried it.

PaladinNO4/15/2019, 8:17:59 PM1 votes

Ehrr...I get 50/50 "u2" and "thanks" or "stfu" and "suck a dick" response to "gl hf" at game start, so I'll give it 50/50 whether they will at all respond to a courteous request for anything (a specific item usually).

Kattzy4/15/2019, 9:21:53 PM1 votes

Sometimes it works! I remember playing a match against a Soraka and I kept encouraging my team to buy items with grievous wounds and my adc finally bought an Executioner's Calling. I nearly wept with pride. That said, I have also definitely been told to stfu when I make suggestions, so it can swing both ways lol.

TripTV4/15/2019, 9:51:53 PM1 votes

Supports are the worst for this. They are usually feeders or leeches. there's almost never a midground where they prioritize actually supporting the adc.

Adc are the second worse for not playing their roles. alot of them think this is their private farming simulator and not a 5v5 pvp match.

Rimram4/16/2019, 3:37:34 AM1 votes

Specifically for the case of telling people to build whatever's right, they're simply too ashamed to respond lmao, they'd rather try to prove themselves right or better desperately trying to win then just admit they're wrong and change their build or playstyle

Telephone Booth4/16/2019, 5:40:34 AM1 votes

I only give advice to people i know in my voice chat. When given good advice, I take it into consideration. When told vague dumb shit like "watch out for that karthus" because im in aram trading kills for my life so i can back and buy, i dont take to it so kindly... but ill still keep it honest with something like "greedy for that kill". It really depends on how the criticism/advice is given.

y0r1ck4/17/2019, 2:34:07 AM1 votes

Sadly you can't tell teammates what to do because most of them have enormous egos. Most lack the humility to consider they may be wrong, at least while in game.

Vlada Cut4/20/2019, 8:25:12 PM1 votes

They either respond it nicely or don't respond or say "wtf :D" because they didn't understand my criticizm. They definetly play even worse if you yell at them or argue with them.

Zero Shingetsu4/15/2019, 11:12:15 AM1 votes

Very rarely. Most of the time these people queued at my MMR who are sometimes level 30ish they tell me I'm not good and point out my 1/6~~/25 support game~~ score. Also I literally beg people to buy Executioner's Calling against big time healers and no one ever heeds that advice either.

Muzen4/15/2019, 12:35:21 PM1 votes

few told me thanks but most told me i'm bossy and acted like it was the end of the world.

Kei1434/15/2019, 12:41:04 PM1 votes

I've had mixed results. Sometimes the response is "I can't believe that worked", sometimes it's "stfu, don't tell me what to do."

Hirai Alizarin4/15/2019, 1:41:07 PM1 votes

Communication is overall completely worthless to read, and I think it's better to full mute every player you come across if you're the sort of person who can't dismiss their comments. Much as Riot wants, solo queue isn't a team game, it's just hell.

flaming4/15/2019, 5:00:40 PM1 votes

Don't waste your time. Just don't type. Most of my bans come from giving constructive criticism which ends up in an argument when the person gets offended. It's a downward spiral and I still fuck up and do it. I'm telling you it's a waste of time though.