Things to think about before you call someone "Bad"

[Tint]

We can always go back to kicking them silently and letting them continue to underperform, since pointing that out is "shaming" them.

Sigh if we tell them about their shortcomings, we're mean and shaming them. If we kick silently, we're mean because we're not giving them a chance to improve. If we tell them about their shortcomings and kick them, we're mean and toxic raider filth.

Then you don't want us to say people here like to coddle bad gameplay...

Yes you are correct, there is no right way to handle this. It all depends on the person in question, how they react to being called out for bad gemplay in front of the party. It's understandable when they go into their defense in that moment instead of taking the advice and maybe try to improve. Understandable, since they are bascially backed into a corner, but maybe not the right move in that situation ^^

But actually improving is nothing you can do from one moment to the next one aynway, so I think the best way is to apologise for the bad gameplay (deescalation) and either somehow finish the content / getting carried or leaving the party / getting kicked.


But all I wanted was to point out why people sometimes become toxic over a friendly advice with good intentions: Pointing with the finger at them in front of other people can be enough for that.