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.
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.
Oh man, they totally nerfed 'Titans Armor'! Guess I'll stop playing Golem now :/
They nerfed Irelia again?? Oh wait, its actually a buff. <-- (opposite of nerf)
Great, so now all the free-2-play guns are nerfed, guess I have to buy some to keep competitive. :(
They nerfed Irelia again?? Oh wait, its actually a buff. <-- (opposite of nerf)
Great, so now all the free-2-play guns are nerfed, guess I have to buy some to keep competitive. :(
by xX_The_Dank_One_Xx420blazit69 September 24, 2018
Get the Nerfed mug.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'
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'
"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!"
"Damn, the Devs nerfed those axe's real good!"
by Dave Elliott January 11, 2005
Get the nerfed mug.Related Words
nerfu
• nerfulated
• Nerfurfirder
• nerfurgy
• nerf
• nerf herder
• NERFED
• nerfing
• Nerus
• Nerf Gun
guy1: Dude, who was that chick I saw you with in Oil City last night?
guy2: Man, that was nerual, she's fucking awesome.
guy1: Who?
guy2: Lauren. You don't know her.
guy2: Man, that was nerual, she's fucking awesome.
guy1: Who?
guy2: Lauren. You don't know her.
by Lauren Joyce January 22, 2008
Get the nerual mug.A term used when something in a game (generally an MMOG or FPS) is weakened considerably.
Nerfbat came about because Nerf creates harmless versions of harmful devices (swords, guns, etc).
When an MMORPG developer gives something the nerfbat, they often drastically reduce the effectiveness of said item.
see also: nerf
Nerfbat came about because Nerf creates harmless versions of harmful devices (swords, guns, etc).
When an MMORPG developer gives something the nerfbat, they often drastically reduce the effectiveness of said item.
see also: nerf
SOE has given the Sword of Demon Slaying the nerfbat; it can barely pommel a rabbit to death in its current state! - nerfbat.com
by Adraedan January 29, 2004
Get the nerfbat mug.1) A shepherd of limited intelligence caring for creatures of a limited intelligence.
2) An insult in the Star Wars trilogy.
3)A 90's band catering to fans of obscure Star Wars trivia.
2) An insult in the Star Wars trilogy.
3)A 90's band catering to fans of obscure Star Wars trivia.
Jean calls herself an administrative assistant, but she's more like nerfherder.
Leia: You're nothing but a scruffy-looking nerfherder.
Solo: Who you calling scruffy-looking?
Leia: You're nothing but a scruffy-looking nerfherder.
Solo: Who you calling scruffy-looking?
by paleface April 12, 2006
Get the nerfherder mug.To make worse or weaken, usually in the context of weakening something in order to balance out a game.
by Koopa January 3, 2003
Get the nerf mug.An upright yet bendable erection (neither rigid nor limp), similar in consistency to that of a Nerf baseball bat, which is functional yet less than ideal.
1: Damn, my daily ‘bate yesterday took twice as long as usual!
2: Why? Couldn’t catch wood?
1: Nope … I was sporting a Nerf bat.
2: Why? Couldn’t catch wood?
1: Nope … I was sporting a Nerf bat.
by DangerZone11 September 14, 2009
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