debuff

A debuff is a negative status effect applied to a character or unit in many games and tabletop role-playing systems. It reduces the target’s abilities or otherwise hinders performance, contrasting with buffs, which enhance capabilities. Debuffs can affect statistics, actions, defenses, or the target’s susceptibility to damage.

Common forms include stat reductions (lowering attack, defense, speed, accuracy, or evasion), control or restriction effects (stun, sleep, silence, disable), and condition-based penalties (poison or burn) that deal damage over time or hinder healing. Some debuffs increase the target’s vulnerability to damage or to additional debuffs. Debuffs can be single-target or area-of-effect, and rules about stacking, duration, and mutual exclusivity vary by game.

Debuffs typically have finite durations, after which the target returns to normal unless renewed. Removal methods include cleansing or dispelling abilities, items, or spells, or natural expiration. Some games grant debuffs resistance or immunity, either always or after acquiring certain gear or skills.

Strategic play often centers on managing debuffs: applying them to hinder opponents, shielding allies from debuffs, or using cleansing to recover from them. User interfaces commonly display active debuffs with icons and timers to aid decision-making.

The concept is widespread across video games, including role-playing games, massively multiplayer online games, and MOBAs, as well as tabletop RPGs, where debuffs describe any negative condition placed on a character. Debuffs add tactical depth by creating counters and forcing players to allocate resources to mitigation and recovery.