If you’re like me and find yourself lost in conversation, make a little gaming glossary for yourself! This is a running list of terms and lingo that I keep learning over time. By no means are these official definitions. But it’s a helpful list that I use to navigate conversations that feel like I’m drowning in an alphabet soup.
This list will continue to grow as I learn more and you can even submit any terms that my list may be missing! All I ask when it comes to glossary term submissions is that you keep it relevant, keep it clean, and keep it kind. 🙂
Table Top Games Glossary
d# (ie. d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20)
A die with the same number of sides as the number accompanying it. For example a d4 is a four sided die, d6 is a six sided die and so on and so forth. There are so many different types of dice with different uses that I had to get my own personal lesson in the types of dice.
DM
Nope, not as in sliding into the DM (although you could technically slide into your DM’s DMs). DM is short for Dungeon Master (see also GM or Game Master). This is the person who pretty much runs a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.
They are the story teller who sets the scene, plays as NPC’s (see NPC), bosses etc. Being a DM requires a lot of planning but, even more so, improvisation. Sometimes a party decides to not go down the road that will take them to the village that the DM planned a whole storyline and the DM has to roll with it an improvise.
DND
My prior knowledge of DND was that it stood for “Do Not Disturb”. Which I guess is kind of true because one should not disturb DND time. DND is the abbreviated version of Dungeons & Dragons. To be honest, whenever I heard someone say “DND” I thought the written form was “D&D”, but I guessed wrong. If you did too, don’t worry… I make such mistakes so you don’t have to.
Update: Apparently D&D is also commonly used. So I am feeling much better.
GM
In the world of table top role playing games, GM is short for Game Master. Very similar to its Dungeon Master counterpart, the GM is a more broad term that is more inclusive of games that are not solely involving dungeons… and dragons?
Natural 20
Often referred to “nat 20” is when you roll a d20 die and roll a 20. Why the organic addition to the name? I’m glad you asked! There is a difference between rolling a 20 and rolling a natural 20.
Rolling a 20 is when you roll a d20 and whatever the number you roll plus your stat modifier equals 20.
Rolling a natural 20 is when you roll a d20 and the number showing on the die is 20. This is considered to be a perfect roll. The epitome of dice rolling. Basically you just annihilated your enemy with flying colors and someone came over and gifted you 20 puppies.
NPC
Non playable character? Not Player Controlled? I’m still a little iffy on the exact wording. But in short, it’s a character in a game that you don’t play as. It’s usually a character included to help move the game or story along.
PHB
Short for Player’s Handbook. This is the official player’s handbook for Dungeons & Dragons published by Wizards of the Coast. There are different versions of the PHB depending on which edition of DND you are playing – the latest one (as of Jan. 2022) is 5th edition.
The PHB includes key information for playing the game including information on classes, items, weapons, spells, etc. It’s a tool that is often referenced while playing DND.
TTRPG
Table Top Role Playing Game. Basically an RPG played on a table top (as oppose to on a video game console or computer)
Video Game Glossary
AFK
Away From Keyboard. Usually used in text form in a game’s chat feature to let other party members you’re playing with online know that you will be stepping away from your desk/keyboard and won’t be responsive or active in the game whether for a short of long duration. Can also be used outside of the game in an online communication platform such as Discord.
AOE
Short for Area Of Effect. This is when a character uses an ability that affects an area around them or an area in a targeted location. Depending on the type of ability that is used, all enemies and/or allies in the area will receive the damage or benefit. Common AOE abilities include an area of healing or a fire attack that affects an area. Can also be used as an adjective to describe a type of ability that affects an area of effect.
Buff
Buff actually has two different meanings when it comes to video games one definition that’s used during gameplay and one that typically is not.
In-Game Definition:
When you, another player, or an item grants you a status effect that enhances your character. Some examples of in-game buffs include a spell that increases your defense, a potion that increases speed, a stone that increases your weapon’s power, etc. These buffs can be either temporary or permanent.
Out of Game Definition:
When a game is updated with changes to a character that makes them stronger or more effective in an effort to make the game more balanced. Emphasis on the “in an effort to” part since sometimes buffing a character results in the opposite effect to make the game unbalanced in favor of the buffed character. Antonym: Nerf
DOT
Pronounced as “dot” as in polka. Short for “Damage Over Time”, which is basically a status effect that causes (you guessed it) damage over time. Common examples of DOTs include poison and burn effects where the character affected receives damage every few seconds/turns.
FPS
First Person Shooter. Basically a game where the camera is in a first person perspective and you’re holding a gun. Also known as games that I don’t play because I am horrible at any game that involves aiming. I’m a terrible shot.
JRPG
See RPG. But Japanese. Okay, there is a lot more to it than that. Basically, JRPG is used to describe a certain genre of RPG games usually characterized by a specific aesthetic and gameplay elements.
MMO
Massive multiplayer online. A type of game in which a large amount of people play together in the same online server and coexist in the game. Gameplay elements in MMOs can be broken down into two main categories (and sometimes a hybrid of both): PVP and PVE.
Nerf
When a game is updated with changes to a character that makes them weaker or not as effective in an effort to make the game more balanced. Antonym: Buff
PVE
Short for “Player Versus Environment”. In a PVE format, players are battling/fighting/competing against the in-game enemies. Your opponent is a computer-controlled character built into the game as oppose to another player-controlled character.
PVP
Short for “Player Versus Player”. Basically in a PVP format, players are competing or battling against other players in real time.
RPG
Role Playing Game. A game in which you play a role. Heavily story based usually involving a sort of leveling system in which you can see your player’s progress through their journey.
Submit A Term
Am I missing anything? Save me the embarrassment of not knowing and let me know! Check back later and you may find your term/definition added to the glossary!