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2026/01/20 14:55:26
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
I playtested my new army out (with tons of proxies and borrowed minis) and played against one of my friend's 11-year-old daughter... who I believe was raised on a steady diet of YouTube, Wrestling, and X-Box.
I have never heard so much gak talking in my entire life. The worst part is that she kicked the gak out of me.
It wasn't even close, I discovered the true meaning of fear as I learned all about the Death Guard.
Now the question, how do you deal with someone else's kid, who is your opponent, I can trash talk and psy-ops another person my age, but how do you respond when it's just a kid?
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
"Vulkan: There will be no Rad or Phosphex in my legion. We shall fight wars humanely. Some things should be left in the dark age." "Ferrus: Oh cool, when are you going to stop burning people to death?" "Vulkan: I do not understand the question."
– A conversation between the X and XVIII Primarchs
2026/01/20 15:07:28
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
If you know the parent, I'd ask them. They will certainly know the mouth on their kid and be able to say what they're okay with.
The best though, is humility. It may not seem like it at the time but true enjoyment of the game and grace in defeat will be a good example for a kid like that, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2026/01/20 15:07:54
Armies:
2026/01/20 20:09:37
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
First you need to get good.
Then you crush the child on the field of battle. Harvest their tears to annoint your dice.
Then intimate that you had relations with their mother.
2026/01/20 20:52:53
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Defeat them the only way an adult can -- by flexing your superior disposable income and buying a bigger army than they can field!! They can't beat you if the don't have enough models for the 5K point game!!
It really depends on the situation. If it's just being bratty, they can find someone else to play against next time.... I don't have the time or the mental space to parent someone else's kids.
If it's good natured, then they can receive what they dish out.
2026/01/21 11:48:25
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
If you're playing against children you have to reasonably expect them to act somewhat ... well ... childish!
If you don't want to have to be the adult in the room, then simply don't play against them XD (I'm not saying you acting improperly here to be specific).
Mair
2026/01/21 11:53:36
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Take it as an opportunity to show them how trash talking is really done. They lack your vocabulary and experience.
Sleep with their mom.
Get good. If children are taking your lunch money, you might want to up your game.
Serious answer: regardless of the age of my opponent, if trash talk starts getting out of hand I generally start with subtle clues, like a deadpan “ok” a look of “Is that what you are going with?” Or similar clues that they might be going a little to far. If it ever got really bad a polite “could you tone down the trash talk please” would be next. I can’t recall ever getting to that point. Younger players tend to be overly enthusiastic, and I try not to stifle that.
I get this sometimes playing chess. Not all kids, just some. I wouldn't be so bothered by their trash talk if they weren't also so good most of the time.
Having said that, I've also seen the opposite, with some kids getting a load of grief from adult opponents for the smallest of things - even saw am adult who lost a game to an unrated kid have a complete and utter meltdown and try to get the result overruled because the poor kid wrote a move down wrong on the score sheet.
Anyway, one chess player jokingly said the solution to annoying kids is to calmly write "you were adopted" on a child opponent's score sheet prior to the game.
40k returnee (originally played 1987-1995). Also loves The Old World, Space Hulk, and Dark Future.
2500 pts Imperial Guard 40k 1st Ed. (repairing/repainting)
1500 pts Orks 40k 1st Ed. (in progress)
1500 pts Bretonnians TOW
1500 pts Skaven TOW (in progress)
2026/01/21 14:12:32
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Be the player you want to play against. We set the tone of our community. This is especially true when playing younger opponents, or new players. Don’t gatekeep, but set examples. But do realize that we are a wide range of people, with different thoughts and expectations. One person’s table-top banter is another’s hurtful trash talking. Try to recognize what’s OK with your opponent. And note that everyone’s social awareness level is not the same, so sometimes when the subtle clues done land, polite reminders are in order. We’re all here to have a good time.
It really, really depends on the kid, what the trash talk is about and what they're getting about it. Overall though, it's all about disrupting their narrative. If you can crush them, do so, but be really nice about it. If you can't win, be complimentary when they do things well I don't care about losing. Engage in their excitement and try to steer it away from being adversarial into something you can share.
Ultimately its about not responding to their behavior the way they want. You can't always fix it and sometimes the answer is just to not play with them, but if you can have fun in spite of their best efforts it'll often put a stop to the worst of things.
2026/01/25 04:15:48
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Lord Damocles wrote: First you need to get good.
Then you crush the child on the field of battle. Harvest their tears to annoint your dice.
Then intimate that you had relations with their mother.
This is the way.
But really, I like the post that says "be the player you want to play against." Be a sportsman regardless.
Lord Damocles wrote: First you need to get good.
Then you crush the child on the field of battle. Harvest their tears to annoint your dice.
Then intimate that you had relations with their mother.
This is the way.
But really, I like the post that says "be the player you want to play against." Be a sportsman regardless.
But also aim to crush them. :p
All my opponents are Death Guard, Imperial Knights, Custodes, and Necrons. Any advice to a Space Marine player?
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
"Vulkan: There will be no Rad or Phosphex in my legion. We shall fight wars humanely. Some things should be left in the dark age." "Ferrus: Oh cool, when are you going to stop burning people to death?" "Vulkan: I do not understand the question."
– A conversation between the X and XVIII Primarchs
2026/01/25 23:55:28
Subject: Re:How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Jokes aside. She sounds pretty based, depending on the trash-talk.
I guess the difference for me would be, is the smack talk 1 - relevant (is it true), and 2 - is it in game or personal insults, because i would respond in different ways.
If it is true and in game, then I just need to get gud, but I would still pushback with classic light yo-mama jokes.
If it is not relevant and sounds the smack-talk is no longer in game I would see if the person is 1 - reasonable or 2 - unreasonable (narcissist)
If reasonable, I would try to reason by asking questions (it takes practice but asking strategic questions is a very powerful)
If the unreasonable, I would play along that game, and then talked to her parents, and would never waste time on them ever again unless saw genuine repentance.
But its not easy, I get it, wish you all the best.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2026/01/25 23:58:50
2026/01/26 15:54:18
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Lord Damocles wrote: First you need to get good.
Then you crush the child on the field of battle. Harvest their tears to annoint your dice.
Then intimate that you had relations with their mother.
This is the way.
But really, I like the post that says "be the player you want to play against." Be a sportsman regardless.
But also aim to crush them. :p
All my opponents are Death Guard, Imperial Knights, Custodes, and Necrons. Any advice to a Space Marine player?
I've only played one game of 10th, but typically where I would start is tell you to play firstborn and then Lascannon the **** out of the harder targets, and work backwards from there. Ever since 8th my three Devastator squads have been my cornerstone, and in 10th Lascannons put up good numbers on the mathammer front. (9th and 8th were more Grav and Plasma).
Easy E wrote: You cry like a man-baby about it on the internet.
LOL, J/K
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
"Vulkan: There will be no Rad or Phosphex in my legion. We shall fight wars humanely. Some things should be left in the dark age." "Ferrus: Oh cool, when are you going to stop burning people to death?" "Vulkan: I do not understand the question."
– A conversation between the X and XVIII Primarchs
2026/01/29 15:00:17
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
Easy E wrote: Lathe's next post, "How to deal with smack talking fellow posters?" Something we could all learn from.
This thread is walking the line between helpful advice and mocking meme-level responses, and I’m here for that.
—
For smack talking posters, take a breath, calm down, and re-read it. Could you be misinterpreting what was said? Every step we take away from face to face conversation things get lost. Don’t assume malice unless there is reason. Give people the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. And don’t start flinging virtual crap in a flame war. Nobody wants to see the (at least without popcorn ready) hit the little yellow triangle of friendship and move on. Life is too short to be arguing with strangers on the internet.
Lord Damocles wrote: First you need to get good.
Then you crush the child on the field of battle. Harvest their tears to annoint your dice.
Then intimate that you had relations with their mother.
A variation on this. Break her heart, and dig at her deep. Needle her, nit pick her rolls, rules lawyer, needle her measuring, generalize about her chastity... Do whatever you can to mess with her mind and break her gaming.
At Games Workshop, we believe that how you behave does matter. We believe this so strongly that we have written it down in the Games Workshop Book. There is a section in the book where we talk about the values we expect all staff to demonstrate in their working lives. These values are Lawyers, Guns and Money.
2026/03/04 17:07:07
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
She is 11, Smack talk is an appropaite milestone for them at this point.
Just let it roll over and chuckle at it. That is what i do. if i let ever teenager who beat me at uno or connect 4 get under my nerves, i would have quit my job at this point
5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
2026/03/05 06:28:44
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
hotsauceman1 wrote: She is 11, Smack talk is an appropaite milestone for them at this point.
Just let it roll over and chuckle at it. That is what i do. if i let ever teenager who beat me at uno or connect 4 get under my nerves, i would have quit my job at this point
So, I shouldn't listen to the voice that tells me to, "sweep the leg," ?
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
"Vulkan: There will be no Rad or Phosphex in my legion. We shall fight wars humanely. Some things should be left in the dark age." "Ferrus: Oh cool, when are you going to stop burning people to death?" "Vulkan: I do not understand the question."
– A conversation between the X and XVIII Primarchs
2026/03/05 09:13:29
Subject: Re:How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
In order to not be embarassed by being beaten by a child, think of them as a fellow gamer first and a child second. If they are trash talking you, sometimes giving it right back is the way to go as long as it's good natured. And don't let a child get under your skin, they don't necessarily know better than to act, well, childish, in victory or in defeat. Be a good example always, and follow the golden rule (obviously one should do this when playing with adults also).
My armies (re-counted and updated on 11/7/24, including modeled wargear options):
Dark Angels: ~16000 Astra Militarum: ~1200 | Imperial Knights: ~2300 | Leagues of Votann: ~1300 | Tyranids: ~3400 | Stormcast Eternals: ~5000 | Kruleboyz: ~3500 | Lumineth Realm-Lords: ~700
Check out my P&M Blogs: ZergSmasher's P&M Blog | Imperial Knights blog | Board Games blog | Total models painted in 2024: 40 | Total models painted in 2025: 48 | Current main painting project: Tomb Kings
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: You need your bumps felt. With a patented, Grotsnik Corp Bump Feelerer 9,000.
The Grotsnik Corp Bump Feelerer 9,000. It only looks like several bricks crudely gaffer taped to a cricket bat.
Grotsnik Corp. Sorry, No Refunds.
2026/03/05 16:48:51
Subject: How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
hotsauceman1 wrote: She is 11, Smack talk is an appropaite milestone for them at this point.
Just let it roll over and chuckle at it. That is what i do. if i let ever teenager who beat me at uno or connect 4 get under my nerves, i would have quit my job at this point
So, I shouldn't listen to the voice that tells me to, "sweep the leg," ?
when its an actual goal im working on with a client for it to no be ecessive, i typically model it for them in game.
5000pts 6000pts 3000pts
2026/03/06 07:33:35
Subject: Re:How to deal with Smack Talking Children/Opponents
BorderCountess wrote: Just because you're doing something right doesn't necessarily mean you know what you're doing...
"Vulkan: There will be no Rad or Phosphex in my legion. We shall fight wars humanely. Some things should be left in the dark age." "Ferrus: Oh cool, when are you going to stop burning people to death?" "Vulkan: I do not understand the question."
– A conversation between the X and XVIII Primarchs