tanky

Tanky is a colloquial adjective used chiefly within gaming communities to describe a character or player that excels at absorbing damage and sustaining combat. The term originates from the verb “to tank,” meaning to take a large amount of damage without being eliminated, and from the noun “tank,” a heavily armored combat vehicle. In video game contexts, “tanky” typically refers to classes or characters with high health, damage resistance, or abilities that mitigate incoming damage, allowing them to protect weaker team members.

In role‑playing games and multiplayer online battle arenas, tanky roles are essential for frontline engagement. Players often select equipment, skills, or playstyle that enhances durability, such as armor upgrades, defensive abilities, or crowd‑control tactics. Game designers may balance tanky characters with weaker offensive capabilities, creating a trade‑off between survivability and damage output. The term is also occasionally applied to non‑gaming contexts to describe anything robust, resilient, or tough, but this usage remains informal.

While “tanky” is not an official term in game design literature, it has become widespread across forums, patch notes, and user‑generated content. Its prevalence reflects the importance of survivability mechanics in cooperative gameplay. The adjective is considered neutral, descriptive, and widely understood within the relevant communities.