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Glite Dictionary
🔫 A foam toy ⬇️ A power reduction ⬇️ To weaken
nerf

nerf

3 8.3
A loss of power for a game character or item after an update
  • noun
  • /nɜrf/
  • Slang
translation icon : debilitamiento
  • The nerfs are solid, and the buffs don't fully make up for them in my opinion.

So Mitchco's biggest nerf of all time?

Examples

  • Well, depending on how high crit gets, it's possible we'll see a Bloodthirst nerf of some sort in the future, specifically aimed at fixing its crit scaling.

    Blog text (7)

  • If they still use it, then this nerf should apply.

    Blog text (32)

  • I feel that we will only get better and maybe even need a nerf by next tier.

    Blog text (9)

  • Of all the nerfs we're getting in this patch, this one hurts me the most personally.

    Blog text (4)

  • A buff to shields and a nerf to our armor resistances is deadly.

    Blog text (7)

  • The nerfs to Avatar and the Glyph of Gag Order point in that direction.

    Blog text (7)

  • And as long-time readers of Arcane Brilliance can attest, I'm not a fan of nerfs to Deep Freeze.

    Blog text (4)

  • The recent update included a nerf to several overpowered characters in the game.

  • After the nerf was implemented, players noticed that their damage output had significantly decreased.

  • Many gamers expressed their frustration over the nerf to their favorite items in the patch notes.

Synonyms

decrease
vsnerf
84 2.2

A drop in amount or number

applies specifically to a purposeful change lowering power in games
diminishment
vsnerf
4 6.7

A decrease in size, strength or importance

focuses on deliberate reduction of power rather than general loss of importance
weakening
vsnerf
3.2

A process that makes a person or thing less strong

is caused purposely by an update to reduce power or effectiveness

Antonyms

to boost
265 2.5

To make something increase or work better

to buff
  • Jargon
3 7.7

To give a player a temporary increase in power or skill

How Powerful

to buff
  • Jargon
3 7.7
to gain
510 1.1
loss
247 1.3
nerf
  • Slang
3 8.3

Surface Forms

nerf singular
nerfs plural

Etymology

Nerf as a gaming noun comes from the toy brand NERF, whose soft foam darts make real weapons 'harmless'. So a nerf in games is an on-purpose change that 'makes a weapon or character less powerful' to keep play fair.