NerF
Typically applied to online regularly-changed/updated video games.To "nerf" something means to reduce its 'power' or effectiveness within the game. Often times this is to solve some problem in the game (such as an 'overpowered' weapon/ability or
super effective strategy), or to push the players in one direction or another (such as a new cosmetic/item/character).Nerfs affect the 'meta' or prevailing strategy/characters/items used to win the game. In this way nerfs also give control to the developer of how the players play the game. i.e.
nerfing a commonly used item to discourage the community from playing with it.Some nerfs can be so drastic they change the very fundamentals of the game, and are often a contributing factor to the size of the
playerbase, for good or bad.Outside of games, this would again mean to reduce the things 'power' or 'effectiveness'. The exact analogy that gave birth to this term, is that of a
Nerf Gun, compared to a real gun.
nerfed
by Dave Elliott on Jan 11, 2005 19:08:23
The term "
nerfing" comes from the online gaming world of
Ultima Online.
At one point in the game, the developers reduced the power of swords in melee combat.
This resulted in players complaining that it was like they were hitting each other with
nerf bats, not swords.
From then on, if ever something gets made less worth while than it had been originally, it is considered 'nerfed'
Example:
"Oh man, they reduced the
dmg on the
berserker class and now it's totally nerfed!"
"Damn, the Devs nerfed those
axe's real good!"
nerf
by Koopa on Jan 03, 2003 18:05:13
Nerfing
by sarroth on Jul 01, 2011 22:54:10
Nerf This
by Bestdankboi on Feb 26, 2017 23:14:24
nerf
by PythonDragon on May 14, 2004 03:35:24
To
diminish the power or effectiveness of...
To make less potent.
Originally, this was a product line of
foam based toys for children. It was adopted by the online gaming community to refer to the reduction in power of a game feature for the sake of balance.
This term is now seeing more widespread generic usage, usually in reference to mechanical devices, or personal powers within a business
framework.
antonyms: Buff(v), Spike(v)
Example:
My dad totally nerfed my access to the internet. Life
suxx0rz since the advent of the
NetNanny!
Did you hear that Henley got Nerfed?? It's probably because he handled
the Parker account so poorly.
Nerf This!
by Overwatch?? on Feb 26, 2019 05:26:06
A line that the character
D.Va says in overwatch when she uses her ultimate and causes everybody to run for cover.
D.Va's ultimate is self destruct and everybody in a certain radius gets dealt a HUGE amount of damage.
D.Va:
Nerf this! {self and opponents}
Opponents: OH SHIT RUN FOR FUCKING COVER!!
nerf
by Chang Tan on Oct 27, 2003 01:46:02
Usually in first person shooters and
RPGs, when game developers think a weapon is far too powerful, and threatens the stability of the game, and
weakens the aspects of that power drmatically to
rebalance it.
Example:
When
diablo 2 came out, everyone played either a
necromancer or a barbarian. Now necromancers is
nerfed to a point where its intolerably difficult to duel against other players without people just dodging your summoned minions and shove a axe into your face.
nerf
by Autudell on Jul 07, 2020 14:08:11
nerf
by David P. [myspace.com/xbuddhistxfistx] on Mar 19, 2008 18:30:05
Nerfs are grumpy,
antlered herbivores, resembling yaks, raised on many planets, including
Alderaan, Gestron and Corellia, for their milk and meat. Herders of the beasts are well known for being as scruffy looking and surly as their livestock, and to be called a "
nerf herder" (as Han Solo is by Princess Leia) is considered a strong insult.