Status effect
Encyclopedia
In role-playing game
s, a status effect is a temporary modification to a game character
’s original set of stats
that usually comes into play when special powers and abilities (such as spells) are used, often during combat. It appears in numerous computer and video games of many genre
s, most commonly in role-playing games. The term status effect can be applied both to changes that provide a character an advantage (increased attributes, defensive barriers, regeneration), and those that hinder the character (decreased attributes, incapacitation, degeneration).
Especially in MMORPG
s, beneficial effects are referred to as buffs, and hindering effects are called debuffs.
most likely will include a class capable of healing, which by default will have a chance to remove negative effects.
In addition, many games have weapons, armor, or other equipment that can prevent a character from getting a status effect in the first place. Depending on the game, some add a percentile amount of chance to resist given effect each time the player is affected by it, while others make them completely immune to an effect. However, sometimes the equipment that is resisting an effect, will in exchange, as a penalty, grant vulnerability against a different effect. This forces players to think tactically in games that utilize this method of defense.
s, the terms buff and debuff are commonly used to describe status effects. Some spells or powers may debuff an enemy while buffing an ally at the same time.
). Examples of buffs include:
or a non-player character
in some way other than reducing their hit points. Some examples of debuffs are:
There are countless other debuffs, which all depend on the game played. Though, all share the same concept; to make a certain target less powerful in one or more aspects.
, or aggro. Hate determines the target priority of monsters in instances and encounters, and a spellcaster that casts debuffs, especially early on in a fight, will suddenly find his or herself drawing a lot of unfriendly attention. Buffs tend to draw less hate from mobs when compared to debuffs, healing, or direct damage spells, but in a PvP
battle may make the caster a target in order to deny the buff to the enemy force.
Some heroes and spellcaster units can also confer or inflict buffs, debuffs, and other status effects to units as spells.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
s, a status effect is a temporary modification to a game character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
’s original set of stats
Statistic (role-playing games)
A statistic in role-playing games is a piece of data which represents a particular aspect of a fictional character. That piece of data is usually a integer or, in some cases, a set of dice....
that usually comes into play when special powers and abilities (such as spells) are used, often during combat. It appears in numerous computer and video games of many genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s, most commonly in role-playing games. The term status effect can be applied both to changes that provide a character an advantage (increased attributes, defensive barriers, regeneration), and those that hinder the character (decreased attributes, incapacitation, degeneration).
Especially in MMORPG
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
s, beneficial effects are referred to as buffs, and hindering effects are called debuffs.
Curing status effects
This matter varies as widely as the effects themselves and the games in which they appear. Some status effects go away on their own after a certain amount of time has elapsed. Most games contain items capable of healing status effects. Often these items heal a specific status effect, though many games also include one or more universal status effect removing items. Many games also include magic spells that can eliminate status effects. Most of the time status effects are removed at the end of a battle, however in some cases they continue to persist until either they are cured or until the character rests. Games with classesCharacter class
In role-playing games, a common method of arbitrating the capabilities of different game characters is to assign each one to a character class. A character class aggregates several abilities and aptitudes, and may also sometimes detail aspects of background and social standing or impose behaviour...
most likely will include a class capable of healing, which by default will have a chance to remove negative effects.
In addition, many games have weapons, armor, or other equipment that can prevent a character from getting a status effect in the first place. Depending on the game, some add a percentile amount of chance to resist given effect each time the player is affected by it, while others make them completely immune to an effect. However, sometimes the equipment that is resisting an effect, will in exchange, as a penalty, grant vulnerability against a different effect. This forces players to think tactically in games that utilize this method of defense.
Buffs and debuffs
In many MMORPGMMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
s, the terms buff and debuff are commonly used to describe status effects. Some spells or powers may debuff an enemy while buffing an ally at the same time.
Buffs
Buff is the term generically used to describe a positive status effect (usually cast as a spellMagic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
). Examples of buffs include:
- Increase the movement speed of the target.
- Increase the attack speed of the target.
- Increase the health points of the target.
- Increase target's perception.
- Increase target's physical defense.
- Heal the target over time for a period of time.
- Boost the damage output of the target.
Debuffs
Debuffs are effects that may negatively impact a player characterPlayer character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
or a non-player character
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
in some way other than reducing their hit points. Some examples of debuffs are:
- Reduce the movement speed of the target.
- Reduce the attack speed of the target.
- Decrease the resistance of the target to various elements or forms of attack.
- Reduce the stats of the target.
- Cripple target's perception.
- Lower target's physical defense.
- Drain target's health.
There are countless other debuffs, which all depend on the game played. Though, all share the same concept; to make a certain target less powerful in one or more aspects.
Buffs and debuffs in MMORPG gameplay
Buffs and debuffs play a more significant role in MMORPGs than in most single-player games. This is due to the factor known as hateHate (MMORPG terminology)
Hate, aggro, or threat is a mechanism used in many MMORPGs as well as some RPGs by which non-playing characters prioritize which players to attack. Players who generate the most hate on an NPC will be preferentially attacked by that NPC...
, or aggro. Hate determines the target priority of monsters in instances and encounters, and a spellcaster that casts debuffs, especially early on in a fight, will suddenly find his or herself drawing a lot of unfriendly attention. Buffs tend to draw less hate from mobs when compared to debuffs, healing, or direct damage spells, but in a PvP
Player versus player
Player versus player, or PvP, is a type of multiplayer interactive conflict within a game between two or more live participants. This is in contrast to games where players compete against computer controlled opponents, which is correspondingly referred to as player versus environment...
battle may make the caster a target in order to deny the buff to the enemy force.
Auras
Many modern Real Time Strategy have hero units, single units that are powerful, but limited in number (usually only one of a single type allowed). In addition to their normally very high stats, many heroes also have auras which confer beneficial status effects or attribute bonuses to any friendly units that enter within a certain radius of the hero. This makes the hero unit an important factor in an engagement as, in addition to their formidable combat skills and powerful abilities, they also make the units around them more effective.Some heroes and spellcaster units can also confer or inflict buffs, debuffs, and other status effects to units as spells.
See also
- MMORPGMMORPGMassively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
- Magic (gaming)Magic (gaming)Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
- Dungeons & DragonsDungeons & DragonsDungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
- Pathfinder Roleplaying GamePathfinder Roleplaying GameThe Pathfinder Roleplaying Game is a fantasy role-playing game first published in 2009 by Paizo Publishing...
External links
- Status Effects at Giant BombGiant BombGiant Bomb is an American video game website and wiki that includes gaming news, reviews, commentary, and video, created by former GameSpot editors Jeff Gerstmann and Ryan Davis in collaboration with Whiskey Media...