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

[werk]

I picked up the habit when I played with a group of EQ guys.

It fits, and fills a previously unfilled gap in terms, I think. "Can I get some spells that improve my stats, AC, and gives bonuses to hit, save, damage, and other stuff?" or "Can I get some buffs?" EZ ChEZ

 

[RichGreen]

We use it all the time. I think we learned it on ENWorld

Cheers


Richard

 

[lukelightning]

Rarely use it OOC. Never used it in character, but the "adventurers cant" argument really makes a lot of sense to me.

I think it's silly to get to worked up about "in character" vs "out of character" language. If a player says "Finegold the Fighter shouts that he needs a buff" I just assume Finegold really says some other words that mean the same thing.

 

[Henry]

My friends and I have been using this term in D&D for twenty years or so, if I recall correctly. A long time before messageboards, MMORPGs, Everquest even existed. Sorry.

Well, I did say "coined it or made it popular"; I nor anyone of my gaming groups involved in gaming for twenty years EVER heard the term used in that way previously. It definitely came into common parlance on rec.games.frp.dnd in the late 90's/early 2000's that I saw.

 

[Cam Banks]

I don't use it, and I don't use the phrase "dual-wield" either. And I hate the word "gish." And I'm a grumpy old man.

Cheers,
Cam

 

[Aaron L]

I think it's silly to get to worked up about "in character" vs "out of character" language. If a player says "Finegold the Fighter shouts that he needs a buff" I just assume Finegold really says some other words that mean the same thing.

We don't refer to our characters in the third person like that when we play. If one of our characters says something, we'd never say "Finefold says this." We say it, in character.

We like a more "personal" feeling game, I guess, as opposed to moving pieces about a board. We don't use minis or anything.

In character vs out of character language and knowledge is, indeed, an issue to us.

Play style difference.

 

[lukelightning]

We don't refer to our characters in the third person like that when we play. If one of our characters says something, we'd never say "Finefold says this." We say it, in character.

Actually, neither do I. I normally use first person; if I said "I need a buff, quick!" that means my character says something similar. Sometimes I'll be more roleplayish and say "I need some supporting magic" or whatever. But still, it's easier to assume that the exact words that are coming out of the character's mouth aren't what the player says (especially since the character isn't even speaking English...he's speaking Common or Elvish or Kelemordian or Classic Abyssal or whatever).

 

[Umbran]

My friends and I have been using this term in D&D for twenty years or so, if I recall correctly. A long time before messageboards, MMORPGs, Everquest even existed. Sorry.

Back 20 years ago, internet communication was a whole lot more sparse, so individual gaming groups and areas tended to have their own lingo for things. That a couple of folks around here used it hardly means it was common in the population as a whole.

I think it's silly to get to worked up about "in character" vs "out of character" language. If a player says "Finegold the Fighter shouts that he needs a buff" I just assume Finegold really says some other words that mean the same thing.

The key word is "that". If he shouts that he needs a buff is one thing. If he says, "I need a buff," we're talking about "buff" being part of the language of the character's society. If you think it is silly to get worked up about 3rd person vs. 1st person... well, someone should have some words with your English teachers...

 

[jgbrowning]

Of all the threads I've read or participated in here at ENworld, this is the first to make me feel old and sad.

Get used to it.

And get off my lawn!

joe b.

 

[Zogmo]

You do know Diaglo is actually a seventeen year old kid that just enjoys his running little gag, right?

All that virulent pomposity emanating from a previcenarian?

Good gag.