Unfortunately, yeah. The more you let people walk over you the more comfortable they get doing it. Being blunt is a good way to stop that kind of behavior, when someone is rude asking direct questions like “why are you saying that about them?” makes people uncomfortable and will get them to stop dragging you into drama. Especially in today’s American climate people feel emboldened to attack people they see as “weak” so you need to not appear “weak” and (this is the much more difficult part) stand up for everyone else who the bullies are targeting
As an mtg player these parodies are referenced enough that I think of them instead of the originals:
I’ve played everything
Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar