status effect
Temporary character condition
A status effect is a temporary condition applied to a character in a video game that modifies their abilities or stats.
Status effects may help (a regeneration buff) or hinder (poisoned, stunned, frozen).
Most wear off after a set duration or can be cured with items.
The term appears occasionally outside gaming to describe any condition that alters normal function: Jet lag is basically a status effect.
Reduce in strength
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- curseInvoked harm through words
- ailmentMinor health problem
poison · bleed · burn · freeze · slow · silence · blindness · paralysis
Active defense through offense
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- comboItems grouped together
- rotationTurning on an axis
- procMethod, shortened
trigger · condition · immunity · resistance · stacking · diminishing returns · crowd control
Limited in duration
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- timedMeasured for duration
- cooldownGradual intensity reduction
expiry · tick · stack · refresh · dispel · cleanse · purge · wear off
Collected in-game enhancement
- boostUpward push or increase
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- augmentationAct of adding more
- strengthenMake more robust
fortify · amplify · buff · haste · regeneration · shield · invincibility · damage boost
Thorough change in form
- polymorphEntity assuming multiple forms
- shrinkDecrease in size
- enlargeIncrease in size
- phase shiftChange in wave timing
invisibility · intangibility · shapechange · possession · mind control · berserk · taunt
weaken
Reduce in strength
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- curseInvoked harm through words
ailment · poison · bleed · burn · freeze · slow · silence · blindness · paralysis · stun
counterplay
Active defense through offense
proc · trigger · condition · immunity · resistance · stacking · diminishing returns · crowd control
temporary
Limited in duration
cooldown · expiry · tick · stack · refresh · dispel · cleanse · purge · wear off · countdown
power-up
Collected in-game enhancement
- boostUpward push or increase
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- augmentationAct of adding more
strengthen · fortify · amplify · buff · haste · regeneration · shield · invincibility · damage boost · critical hit
transformation
Thorough change in form
phase shift · invisibility · intangibility · shapechange · possession · mind control · berserk · taunt
- RPG mechanicsmin-maxing, level up, XP, HP, power leveling
- HUD elementsHUD, crosshair, crosshairs, reticle, health bar