How many of you actually use the term "buff" in game?

[Driddle]

Do you actually use the term "buff" during the game session to describe augmentation or assistance magic? And if so, how often are you in character when discussing such "buffs?"

 

[Fishbone]

Yes, in and out of character. Come on, 50 percent of the characters in Dungeons and Dragons seem to be pro adventurers so it makes sense that they'd have some slang and common terms to work with.

 

[JoeyD473]

Out of game we say buffs, in game it hasn't come up becuase my wizards believe their only job should be offensive spells like fireball, and my Cleric believes his spells are for healing, and offensive when possible so there is no buffing

 

[Umbran]

"Buff" is a term normally used on messageboards and in MMORPGs. My players don't do either. The term is certainly not used in-game, and I dont' recall anyone using it in-session but out-of-game.

 

[sjmiller]

Until I read people using that term here, and after I finally figured out what the heck they were saying, I had never heard the term used before. I do not use it in my game, and avoid using it outside of my game. I still don't really understand where it came from, to be honest.

 

[rvalle]

My players use it both in and out of game.

It doesn't bother me as much as the newest term to hit our group... 'Toon' made in referance to the players character. As in 'My next toon is going to be a fighter/mage.'

Bah.

rv

 

[diaglo]

i've used it for like ya know over like 20 years or so, mang.

 

[Henry]

LOTS when out of character, names of the spells when in character. Frankly, it makes sense to use it, as it's such common terminology, and very quick to say.

I still don't really understand where it came from, to be honest.

Online RPG's, frankly -- I think the Everquest crowd either coined it or made it popular. And the term "buff" meaning muscular or tough has been around a long time, so I'm guessing "make me buffed up" or "make me buff" became "buff me" somewhere along the way.

 

[Aus_Snow]

What strange language dost thou. . . uh yeah, that.

 

[el-remmen]

I only ever use it a meta-term to refer to that kind of magic or effect - never at the table.