Fffuuuan independent players' reference for the hardest moments in games

An independent reference for players. Not affiliated with the former site on this domain or with game developers; check rules, dates and update contents with official sources.

Gaming terms

Gaming terms

Guides, reviews and player chat are full of words that baffle newcomers. This glossary collects the key terms: combat and mechanics, online games and community slang. The definitions are general: a term may work slightly differently in a particular game.

Half-understanding a guide means misunderstanding it. Open the glossary before you get stuck.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we explain common terms in plain words, without tying them to any specific game's numbers. If a game has its own definition, go by that.

Combat and mechanics

i-frames
Invincibility frames — a brief moment, usually at the start of a dodge or roll, when enemy attacks deal no damage.
Aggro
An enemy's attention on a particular character. To "pull aggro" means to make an enemy attack you specifically.
Kiting
A tactic where you keep an enemy at a distance, backing off and attacking so it never gets a chance to hit you.
Pattern
A recurring sequence of enemy attacks or movements that can be learned and predicted.
Stamina
An energy reserve spent on attacks, blocks, sprinting and dodging that regenerates over time.
Checkpoint
A save point the game returns your character to after a defeat.
DPS
Damage per second — how quickly a character deals damage. Also the name for the damage-dealer role in a group.

Online games

Raid
A difficult challenge for a large group of players that requires coordinated play — for example, in World of Warcraft.
Dungeon
A separate instanced area with enemies and rewards, usually designed for a small group.
PvE
Player versus environment: fighting enemies controlled by the game.
PvP
Player versus player: fights between real players.
LFG
Short for "looking for group" — searching for a group to play content together.
Patch
A game update that fixes bugs, changes balance or adds content. The list of changes is called patch notes.
Season
A limited-time period in an online game with its own quests, rewards or rules.

Community

Rage quit
Quitting a game in frustration — when a player abandons an attempt or closes the game in the heat of the moment.
FFFUUU
An expression from rage comics, a genre of internet comics about frustration in everyday situations and games. It marks the moment a game finally gets to you.
Spoiler
Information about a game's story or secrets that ruins the experience for someone who hasn't reached that point yet.
Speedrun
Playing through a game as fast as possible, often using special routes and techniques.
Grind
Repeating the same actions over and over for experience, items or resources.
  • Tips and mechanics

    Core mechanics of hard games, a boss fight breakdown, difficulty and accessibility settings, and account rules.

  • Guides and walkthroughs

    Types of guides, how to use them without spoilers and how to check a guide is still up to date. Plus the article catalogue.

  • Archived post: what "FFFUUU" means (in Russian)

    Where the expression "FFFUUU" comes from and how to keep your cool at a hard part of a game.

Sources

  • Official websites of developers and publishers

Game information is based on the official websites of developers and publishers. Release dates, update contents and game rules change, so always check them with official sources.