Is having a "bad" pick/plectrum an excuse for crappy playing

Dunlop Meshuggah Fredrik Thordendal sig pick. By far my fave pick. Grippy, right amount of snap and stiffness. Low friction. They just don’t wear out.

https://www.jimdunlop.com/product/45rft ... 10733-5.do

There has been times. We are doing like a small party my place. We are jamming.
Bout 20 folks over. I drop my pick. I just keep going. Fingers.
Didn’t have much ‘pick attack’ but we pulled it off with no complaints.

I didn't even use a pick when I first started playing

Picks make a huge difference in the feel of my guitar. The way it interacts with the strings. I have some picks that make me hate my guitar. The good ones make it feel just right.

My current two favorites are the Primetone Jazz iii and more recently, the Petrucci Flow 2.0mm. I don't usually use picks that thick, but it's a really nice feel and attacks the strings just right.

Purple Tortex or Wedge for me. 1.14.

I tried the mini Jazz III back in the day but I find they promote a lot of thumb movement. I find I get a lot more control with the bigger picks.

Tortex Sharp picks have improved my tone and picking accuracy.