Keeping Cool When the Dice (and the Party) Betray Ya
By Trickin’s cursed coin purse, I’ve seen more good players sink their own ship ‘cause they couldn’t hold their temper when the dice turned cold or their mates turned daft. Maybe it’s the third nat-one in a row. Maybe the ranger wandered off alone — again. Or maybe the wizard just fireballed you instead o’ the goblins.
Aye, lad, I know the feelin’. Your gut says slam the table, glare across the map, and mutter about “how this always happens to me.” But let me tell ya — losin’ yer cool in the middle o’ a bad roll or a bad decision costs ya more than the fight ever will.
Why Blowin’ Up Does More Damage Than a Crit
Ya Kill the Mood – The table’s laughin’, then you scowl, and suddenly no one wants to look up from their sheets.
Ya Break the Trust – The GM stops handin’ ya clutch moments ‘cause they don’t know if ya can handle ‘em.
Ya Lose the Story – Once you’re stuck in yer own head, you stop playin’ with the party and start playin’ against it.
Doesn’t matter if it’s bad luck or bad choices — what folk remember ain’t the roll, it’s yer reaction.
Want to stop the game from goin’ sour on a bad night? Read That Grudge Yer Clingin’ To? It’s Ruinin’ the Game — Let It Go, Lad and Don’t Let Annoyance Turn Into Resentment — Forgive, Lad, But Don’t Be a Doormat — they’ll knock the chip off yer shoulder before it knocks the fun out o’ the room.
Mike’s Ways to Keep Yer Head When the Dice Spit in Yer Ale
Laugh at the Misery – Nat-one on a persuasion check? Play it big. Slur the words, drop the tankard, make it a scene folk enjoy.
Channel It In-Character – Turn the frustration into a bit o’ roleplay. Let yer fighter grumble about cursed dice instead o’ you grumblin’ about ‘em.
Pick a Win That’s Not the Roll – Did ya fail the attack? Maybe you still drove the beast back a step, bought the rogue time to strike.
Focus on the Next Move – Every second you stew is a second you ain’t thinkin’ about what comes next.
I’ve seen this turn whole sessions around — like the time the cleric healed the goblin by accident and we still pulled the win. We laughed about that for years. If ya want more on keepin’ the energy alive, When the Table’s Full — But It Feels Empty will open yer eyes.
When the Party’s the Problem
Sometimes it ain’t the dice, it’s the milk-drinkin’, pebble-countin’ fool across the table. They run off, break the plan, or loot the chest while yer bleedin’ on the floor. Aye, it’s maddening — but if you explode, they’ve still got the loot and now you’ve got the bad rep.
Better to keep yer head, finish the fight, and deal with it after. And if ya need backup, When the Loudest Player Starts Runnin’ the Table has tricks for rebalancin’ the crew without a brawl.
If yer ready to stop lettin’ bad rolls and bad calls wreck yer night, get to know us at About Mike’s Tavern and send a message through the Contact page. I’ll help ya keep yer cool long enough to see the story through.
FAQ
Q: How do I keep from tiltin’ after a bad streak o’ rolls?
A: Change the win condition in yer head — find the funny, the story beat, or the silver linin’ in the fail.
Q: What if my party keeps sabotagin’ me?
A: Talk to ‘em outside the game. Set expectations before it happens again.
Q: Is ventin’ between sessions okay?
A: Aye, lad — as long as it’s to fix the problem, not just stir the pot.
