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How to Deal with Trolls & "Idiot Players"

Offended·2/24/2015, 9:27:11 PM·86 votes·9,523 views

Trolls are people, human beans/beings just like the rest of us, and there is almost always a reason behind their behavior. I have frequently taken it upon myself to inquire as to 'why' they feel the need to sabotage my game, and most often the response is "because everyone does it to me". After a few moments of talking in champ select or in the early minutes of the game, I can often talk a player out of feeding just by being kind and not immediately flaming the situation.

**Remember, always acknowledge their reason for being angry and never invalidate it. This means agreeing with them even if you are angry/upset. **

Here is my guide to confronting and communicating with a troll. This is an actual (not quite word for word) log from a champion select chat in which I confronted a troll.

The first thing you should do when you confront a troll in game (this is if they blatantly say "I'm trolling"), is acknowledge what they said in a respectful manner. Then inquire as to why.

Yorick : I'm trolling Sivir : Huh, alright. Is there a lane you would prefer? Yorick : Top I guess Sivir : Mmkay, why are you gonna feed? Yorick : Because I feel like it???

The next thing to do is call them on it. Keep it polite, don't call them "immature" or "selfish", but get the message across.

Sivir : Why do you feel like trying to ruin the experience for other people because you are having a bad day? Yorick : I'm just pissed because everyone trolls and feeds in this game and I can never win games.

Now that you have the reason as to why they are planning on feeding, simply state "welp, I have no control over your actions .-." or something along those lines. Remaining indifferent is KEY, as if you don't appear to care, they get NOTHING out of trolling. Start being outwardly positive to those on the team who are, and are not, trolls. This is crucial, as it can create a sense of teamwork and is beneficial in ALL games, regardless if there is a troll. Make the environment DIFFERENT from a normal game where everyone is silent. Be proactive and let everyone know you still plan to win.

Sivir : We can do this guys, our team comp is better than theirs. I'll drop a ward at blue for you. Anyone want to invade? Got Curse?

Now keep in mind that this does not always work, but it does enough of the time and that's worth it. Always remaining positive is both good for your own morale as well as the entire team's. Set goals for yourself, even if it's not the win. For example, "I'll steal a drag this game" or "I want to catch the enemy ADC out of position at least # times.". Completing these goals, even if you lose the game, will remind you that every game is an experience that you can learn from.

Story about a troll:

A few weeks ago I encountered an unusually harsh and vulgar troll. I couldn't dodge queue as I was in a promo series and I remained positive throughout the game. When our (troll) Lee Sin would die, I'd apologize for not getting there fast enough. When he got a kill, I'd say "nj" (nice job). Even when the entire rest of the team was verbally attacking the troll, I would remind everyone to focus on the game and remind them that our Lee Sin, despite being 2/9/3, had gotten us kills and an objective. At 35 minutes we lost the game but Lee had stopped trolling and gotten an enemy inhib. He ended up apologizing to me and the rest of the team for the loss and ten minutes later I saw he had gifted me the last Veigar skin I needed to complete the collection. http://i.imgur.com/G2DGf7f.png

Trolls are people. Treat them the way you would want to be treated, even if they aren't doing the same to you. Over the internet it's really easy to become desensitized to the effects our words and actions have on others. And most importantly, have fun!

Veigar

EDIT: I wrote this below but it really summarizes what I was trying to say.

TL;DR

It can be incredibly difficult to get a heart-to-heart moment with a troll, elitist, or griefer in the middle of a game, but I try anyway. The thing that helps me the most is always reminding myself: I don't know what their living conditions are. I don't know if his/her partner just cheated on him/her or if they just lost a child to cancer. I don't know if their boss is sexually harassing them or if they were disowned at the age of 13 for expressing their sexuality in a way their parents didn't agree with. I don't know their story, so I cannot judge them based off how they act in an online game. I need to treat them just like I would treat anyone else regardless of the way they treat me, and be grateful for what I have. For the incredible ability to manipulate billions of electronic pulses within a computer to communicate with other beings on the other side of the planet in real time.

Sometimes you can't step into someone else's shoes. Remember that.

75 Comments

Sukishoo2/24/2015, 9:28:44 PM46 votes

human beans

Im sorry what. Stopped reading right when I saw this.

Gunpoint2/24/2015, 9:45:43 PM14 votes

This isn't what happens. Yorick does not say "I AM HOW I AM BECAUSE I'M SAD AND DEPRESSED AND EVERYONE MAKES ME LOSE", In reality Yorick says "AYYYY LMAO IDGAF."

Pucking Purrfect2/24/2015, 9:43:54 PM8 votes

Nah, not gonna ignore or treat kind to any troll just because you got a gift from one. Being angry doesn't give someone the right to ruin other's fun. I pity them and report them other than that nothing I can do.

Malicious Fury2/24/2015, 10:10:27 PM6 votes

Nobody should have to tiptoe around a troll that's having a bad day. Mute then report.

Anrui2/24/2015, 11:48:38 PM5 votes

OP, who was the top laner in that game? I think I may have been in that game. We're around the same rank, I remember having a game last week or so where we had this trolling lee sin who eventually apologized and turned himself around.

However, I don't flame people really. I think if it's the game I am thinking of, I was playing Riven though.

Frogacourtin2/24/2015, 10:13:26 PM5 votes

I think this is a great post. I think the question becomes, "do I have the emotional strength to carry a distraught bean for the good of team and community?"

JPlayah2/25/2015, 12:34:13 AM4 votes

And this, my friends, is how you carry games using the chat box.

Dr Birdie2/25/2015, 4:46:29 PM4 votes

C- Can I marry you?

The Ruin Sage2/24/2015, 10:14:07 PM4 votes

I agree with you 100% I have been in the same situation, unfortunately no skin for me but yeah haha.

SpongebobIsLife2/25/2015, 1:35:15 AM4 votes

You're my hero..may I..may I call you senpai? Please notice me.

Wrabel Wren2/25/2015, 9:16:34 PM3 votes

Quick Question: Say you were adc and someone picks this weird, non-conventional support, with the full intention of doing the best they can and trying to win. Would you report that AP cait support or no? is trying new (whacky) things acceptable?

nobigdealbro2/25/2015, 4:03:25 AM3 votes

I think there's a solid segment of players in the community who always try to be positive and encouraging, maybe even empathetic with trolls. We keep our calm, ask them what their deal is, and beg them not to ruin everyone else's experience. Then they laugh at us as they tank the game for the team.

Positive behavior will only save someone who wants to be saved. That's how people are. Most of the people that decide to troll, behind the safety of internet anonymity, will have free reign and delight in pissing anyone and everyone off. A frustrated player =/= troll.

3 types on the troll-toxic-spectrum come to mind:

  1. Arrogant/spiteful troll - the ADC who declares bot a solo lane and that they "don't need their supp" after enemy bot gets a double kill and first blood. The rest of the team pleads, and they threaten to AFK if the supp comes back bot. Meanwhile they die, over and over.

  2. I-do-what-I-want-which-is-feed-troll. Annie support that roams at level 2 and repeatedly dives every lane, feeding. Nothing can be done here.

  3. Pseudo-intellectual troll/toxic player. One of the few players that's actually baited me into saying things I deserved to get reported for. Player feeds and whines about the team the whole game, not being able to say anything that doesn't drip with sarcasm or arrogant indignation. You can make a very good argument about everything they did to bring the team down, and they'll twist your words or pick out a specific example where you messed up and focus on it, pulling the emphasis off themselves in the process.

You know what the thing is? These archetypes show up in real life too. There's a time for kindness, but you'll never make headway with any of the above.

Spacesuit Spiff2/25/2015, 1:58:41 AM3 votes

Also, if possible, just dodge. It doesn't hurt your mmr, and even if it did, I'd rather not spend the next 20 minutes wondering what some crying child is typing at the rest of the team.

Yulen Xoshxius2/25/2015, 3:14:25 AM3 votes

I try to handle the trolls and ragers rationally when I do encounter them. I actually befriended a few! Keep up the good work and message!

Michaleob2/26/2015, 9:15:07 PM2 votes

That li sin score sounds like mine, but im the first to admit im not a very good player, and i only want to improve. But i dont get mad, ijust try and learn from my mistakes. I do try to help out my fellow teammates, like giving them the kill if i cant do it, or jumping in the line of fire,if i know that they need that extra time to get their ults up, and im low on health. In the end i do thank them and reward them.

QueenAqua2/25/2015, 1:47:03 AM2 votes

Ok. How do you deal with someone who got last pick and decides their gonna feed and "teach you a lesson about not going support" when no one flamed them and just begged them to please not do that. I ran into this said person in a game. I tried the method you are suggesting and it didn't work with them. They fed all game, ran under towers and got killed by the enemy all game, and just kept saying every single time we asked her to stop she just said " I'm teaching you a lesson about not playing support". When i told her i always play support and wanted to play a different role for once, her response was "Then you should always play support". We suffered through a 40 minute game of that because she and one other person wouldn't surrender (and before you ask how did you know it was her, she told us she was teaching us a lesson and wouldn't let the lesson end early). How do you deal with that? When you go through a whole game of them doing this and not caring what their team said? We were nothing but nice to her, tried to get her to listen and just play, but she kept doing this and saying the same thing over and over again all game. Can i get some input on this?

Yormaughm2/25/2015, 1:49:19 AM2 votes

He gifted you White Mage Veigar.

As a support Veigar main myself, who is now out of a job thanks to Riot's nerf bat, I can assure you that that "gift" was also just him trolling.

But seriously though, good points, and it's better to be positive than contribute to the problem. I'd gift you Lollipoppy but you're not on my friends list.

test account2/25/2015, 3:55:00 AM2 votes

No. Trolls aren't human beings. They're roadblocks, and weak and impotent ones at them. Mute them and report them. Trying to talk to them is just going to cause problems.

Kögâ2/25/2015, 8:48:18 AM2 votes

nice, now can you make a guide for when riot trolls you and reworks the champ you have all skins for?

DestructoDave2/25/2015, 8:39:35 PM2 votes

Most trolls are just raging from a losing streak, from trolls in their previous games, or just from their previous games in general. Half the time, they just want to vent; and this works. I mean, there are entire professions dedicated to just listening to people's problems. It works. I have been the listener, and I have been the troll. Sometimes, I just want to posture and vent, and move on. Thats what most trolls want to do.

The key factor is a lot of the raging trolls WANT to win. Otherwise why are they so upset? They wouldn't be that upset about bad teammates and other trolls if their purpose wasn't winning every game. So like the OP said, as long as you dont set them off or egg them on, they are probably going to try once they get in the game.

The problem is, other people can't let this be. IMO, a lot of the times a troll is looking for validation to troll or to try. If people ignore him, and let him cry or whatever, he will try. He might bitch and moan, but he will try. The minute other people give him a reason to troll, ala threatening to report, asking for reports when you get in game, bad mouthing him, arguing with him, blaming him, or basically anything that gives him the feeling that, "Yep I'm glad I'm trolling this game," is going to make him actually throw the game.

Now, you are probably wondering why you should bend to these guys. Well, thats exactly what sets you apart from the trolls isn't it? He can't deal with people, while you can. Hes raging from previous partners, while you are clear headed and calm and deal with the same things that set him off in your game. So why would you argue with him or set him off just because hes vocal? You are the better person, so just look at it that way.

Also, there are some clear things people do that I dont understand, when dealing with trolls. Like I said earlier, he is probably looking for a reason to actually troll. Trolls that mad dont want to really troll and lose, because thats why they are mad in the first place. Why people argue with them, make fun of them, dare them, or even the "I'm gonna report you" or "Everyone mute and report" or the /all "report this X" blows my mind.

If you are going to report someone, dont tell them you are going to report them. In what world is that actually going to make this guy on tilt, wise up to his actions and go, "oh, damn I'm gonna be good now." It won't. If anything that pretty much seals the deal on him ever trying in your game. Because his mindset will be, "Well, I'm already getting reported there is no reason in me helping this guy win just for him to report me anyways."

I honestly believe that telling people you are going to report them is every bit as toxic as anything in this game. The act of reporting is perfectly acceptable. Constantly threatening or bullying people with "report" cries is incredibly toxic, and probably as detrimental to most games I've been in as anything else I've seen.

Another thing is taking sides. If you see a troll and a guy argue, just tell them to focus on the game. Don't take either's side. The minute you take a side, the game is over. Taking a side may actually turn the one guy who wasn't trolling, into a troll himself. Ive seen this happen countless times. One guy is visibly upset about a guy trolling him, and is mad about it. Someone else on the team tells him to shut up crying and suck it up. He gets mad thinking that said person took the troll's side, and ends up trolling worse than the troll was trolling. The best thing to do when 2 people are arguing, is let them argue. Don't say a word except about the game and focusing. Act like what they are saying isn't even happening.

And really, the honest to god best thing you can do, is just not say a word. Just listen. While he spews all his hatred about how he is going to troll, hes not doing this or that, hes sick of this and that, his previous teams were awful, his life sucks, whatever, just let him go. Don't say anything. If you do say anything, be positive like the OP said. He will probably rage back at you tell you to shut up, whatever, but just keep it positive, let him do his thing, and once he gets into the game and its going decently, he won't be a troll anymore. I mean if the game is going bad he probably will be, but hes not going to throw a game hes doing well in at the beginning if you don't give him validation to do so from /all "report" or from egging him on in champ select.

If you want to report him after this, do it up. Even mute him in game. But dont tell him you muted him or hes getting reported because all that is going to do is make sure he 100% trolls. There is no coming back after you utter those words.

Again, I know this kind of sucks that you are the one having to baby a troll, but again, thats what sets you apart from trolls is the fact you are capable of dealing with players like the ones he had that made him troll, and players like him.

Dipped2/26/2015, 12:24:50 AM2 votes

Amumu item 3070 so sad

Leti the Yeti2/25/2015, 1:56:16 AM1 votes

personal experience tells me this doesnt work out too well it usually fuqs up... arooouund right here

Sivir : Why do you feel like trying to ruin the experience for other people because you are having a bad day? Yorick : I'm just pissed because everyone trolls and feeds in this game and I can never win games.

Sivir : We can do this guys, our team comp is better than theirs. I'll drop a ward at blue for you. Anyone want to invade? Got Curse?

trolls conveying their feelings to me? not happening no matter how nice I ask utilizing convincing and proper reasoning like having a superior comp? they wont listen

its like tryng to play chess with a guy who isnt following the rules anyway