The Following is a list of common terms and abbreviations for the World of Warcraft.
A
AB – Arathi Basin, a PvP Battleground in the Arathi Highlands
AKA – Also known as
Add – Refers to an unexpected mob attacking a player or a group
AoE – Area of effect spell, ability or item
AE – Another abbreviations for Area of Effect (AoE), can also refer to Arcane Explosion.
AFK – Away from keyboard
Aggro – Used when either a) a players runs in LOS (see LOS) of an untapped mob, or b) when someone in a group does too much damage or uses a taunt ability, which causes a mob to change target to them
Agi – Agility
AH – Auction house
AK – Ahn’kahet: Old Kingdom, an instance in Dragonblight, Northrend. Also referred to as OK
Alt – an alternative character
AN – Azjol’Nerub, an instance in Dragonblight, Northrend
Ankh – Sometimes used to describe a shaman’s act of using Reincarnate, because the ability require an Ankh to use
AP – attack power
AQ – Ahn’Qiraj, a level 60 raid instance in Silithus, Kalimdor that features 20 and 40 man versions
ATK – attack!
AV – Alterac Valley, a level 51+ battleground in Eastern Kingdoms
Azeroth – Used to describe the original areas of WoW, The Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor.
B
BB – Booty Bay, a neutral city in southern Eastern Kingdoms
BC – Burning Crusade, the first WoW expansion.
BFD – Blackfathom Deeps, an instance in Ashenvale, Kalimdor
Blizz – refers to Blizzard, the company that owns World of Warcraft.
Blue – Used to describe superior-level gear. This is because the item’s name is blue. (See Superior). Can also be used to describe a blizzard employee on the forums.
Blue Post – means a Blizzard Employee’s post on the forum. This term is mostly used on the WoW forums
BoA – bind on account
BoE – bind on equip
BoJ – badge of justice
Boomkin – A reference to a Balance-spec (DPS Caster) Druid
BoP- bind on pick up
Boss – an elite mob that is very hard to kill, and usually drops items of high value
Bot – A program designed to play WoW by itself, automating tasks such as leveling and gather resources. See also Healbot.
BRB – be right back
BRD – Blackrock Depths, an instance in Searing Gorge, Eastern Kingdoms
BRS – Blackrock Spire, an instance in Searing Gorge, Eastern Kingdoms
BS – Blacksmith
BT – Black Temple, an instance in Shadowmoon Valley, Outland
BTW – by the way
Buff – a beneficial spell that gives bonuses to a player’s stats
Bug – a glitch in the game
C
Camping – waiting for a player or mob to spawn/appear/resurrect, then to kill him/her/it
Carebear – Someone who is seen as being too empathetic to someone or something.
Careface – a term used to express that you don’t care about a specific subject at all
Caster – a player or NPC that uses spells as their primary source of damage, and defense
CC – acronym for crowd control, the act of disabling a mob or player from casting spells and attacking
CD – cooldown of a spell, item or an ability
Chinese Farmers – sometimes used offensively towards Chinese people who farm (See ‘F’) ingame currency to sell for real life money
Clipping – the act of casting a spell before the cast has completed for the previous one (using lag to your advantage), it reduces the time between casts dramatically.
CoS – Culling of Stratholme, an instance in Caverns of Time, Tanaris, requiring WotLK to enter
Creep – mob (see mob)
Critters – An NPC that is not hostile and have very low level and stats. Can mostly be one-shotted by players/other mobs of all levels
D
Dally – Dalaran, the WotLK Neutral City. Floating above Crystalsong forest. See ‘Shatt’
Darn – Darnassus
DC – Death Coil, [1] a spell used by Warlock to fear, damage, and heal themselves [2] an ability used by a Death Knight to damage an unfriendly player or NPC or heal a friendly undead NPC
DC – disconnect
DD – direct damage
DE – disenchant/-er
Debuff – a spell that reduces a player’s or mob’s stats or HP (see HP)
Defense – the stat that primarily controls the reduction of damage and chance to block attack. Varies from class to class
DK – Death Knight Hero Class
DKP – The basic distribution system for loot, based on points earned for attendance and downing bosses. Stands for ‘Dragon Kill Points’ as the first game one was developed on was Everquest, both of which’s endgame bosses were dragons.
DM – [1] Dire Maul, an instance in Feralis, Kalimdor [2] Deadmines, an instance in West Fall, Eastern Kingdoms, also known as VC, Van Cleef
DMG – damage
DnD – do not disturb
DOT – damage over time
DPS – damage per second
Drop – the items or money that can be picked up from a dead mob or boss
DTK – Drak’Tharon Keep, an instance in Grizzly Hills/Zul’Drak, Northrend
DW – Duskwood, a zone in Eastern Kingdoms
DW – Dual Wield
E
Elite – a mob with higher stats and armor
Emote – actions that players or mobs perform via slash-commands (see slash-commands). Some of these are animated, and some are not
EoH – Emblem of Heroism
EotS – Eye of the Storm, a level 60+ battleground in Outland
EoS – (See EotS)
EoV – Emblem of Valor
Epic – This is the second-best quality of items in the game. Epic items have better stats than lower-quality gear, and are usually found in higher-level instances. However, some can be found elsewhere and sometimes crafted.
Exploit – deliberately using a bug
F
Farming – killing mobs or looking for certain items in a certain area over and over
FAQ – frequently asked questions
FD – Feign Death, Hunter skill used to remove all aggro from the hunter. This usually transfers aggro to pet or other party members.
Fear – A spell which causes enemies to run away randomly for a certain amount of time.
FFA – free for all.
FFS – for fuck sake.
FPS – frames per second.
FTL – for the lose.
FTW – for the win.
G
G2G – (see GTG)
Game Master – a Blizzard employee that supports players in game with various things, though not leveling or the gathering of items or gold
Gank – killing another player (usually of lower level) rapidly and repeatedly
GD – Gundrak, an instance in Zul’Drak, Northrend
GD – Good duel
GG – good game
GL – good luck
GM – game master (see game master)
Gnomer – Gnomeregan, an instance in Khaz’Modan, Eastern Kingdoms
Greed – A looting option that may appear depending on a party’s loot rules. Greed is normally selected if the item is BoE or nobody Needs is (see Need. If anyone selects Need, any greed rolls are ignored.
Gratz – short for Congratulations ( also used: Grtz, Gz)
Green – Used to describe uncommon-level gear. This is because the item’s name is green. (See Uncommon)
Grief – a deliberate act to decrease the enjoyment of the game of another player
Group – a gathering of people with the same goals, and they therefore team up to achieve that
GS – Goldshire, a town in Elwynn Forest, Eastern Kingdoms
Gtfo – Get the **** out. Don’t use it!
GTG – [1] Good to go [2] got to go
Guild – has the same concept as a clan; a guild is a group of people belonging to the same community in-game
H
H [insert instance] – heroic version of the said instance
HF – [1]have fun [2] Hellfire Peninsula, a zone in Outland
HFP – Hellfire Peninsula, a zone in Outland (see HF (up here)).
HP – hit points
HoL – Ulduar: Halls of Lightning, an instance in Storm Peaks, Northrend
Healbot – A healing character with such large reserves of mana, +Spell bonuses and haste that they can simply cast one or two spells with no real thought. Also an addon which simplifies the raid healing interface and makes it easier to use.
Healthstone – a consumable item created by warlocks that can be used to heal
HoS – Ulduar: Halls of Stone, an instance in Storm Peaks, Northrend
HOT – healing over time
HS – See Healthstone
HS – Hearthstone
Huntard – A derogatory term referring to a Hunter making things up about their class. The confusion comes from the various things exclusive to hunters, such as tamable pets, happiness and pet level.
I
I5SR – Inside 5 Second Rule (related to your normal mana regen while casting)
IC – instant cast (can also refer to in character in roleplaying communities)
idc – I don’t care
Idd – indeed
idk – I don’t know
IF – Ironforge
IMO – in my opinion; There are variations such as IMHO (in my humble opinion)
INC – incoming
Ingame – referring to something that involves World of Warcraft. (E.G. Ingame money)
Instance – a separate zone filled with elite mobs, and perhaps some non-elite mobs. There are also bosses in instances that rewards items of great value
Int – intellect
IRL – in real life
J
JC – Jewelcrafter
Jks – Joking
J/K – Just Kidding
JMS – Just Making Sure
J/P – Just Playing
K
Kite – pulling, or killing, a mob at distance by running and doing distanced damage at the mob
Kitty – name used for the Druid’s cat form
KOS – kill on sight
KS – kill steal/kill stealer
L
L2P – Learn to Play; Derogatory comment to players to don’t seem to know what their character can do. Sometimes used for specific abilities such as L2Tank or L2Heal
Lag – the game becomes slower, and the FPS may be alot lower
Latency – The amount of time it take your computer to communicate with the WoW server.
Legendary – This is the best quality of items in the game. Legendary gear usually requires a long and involved quest line, or can be found in the high-end raid instances.
Leet – aka 1337. A way of speaking and typing things, using alternative keys on the keyboard, more than just the letters in the alphabet
Leveling – gaining levels
LFG – looking for group
LFM – looking for more
LMAO – Laughing my ass off
LOL – laughing out loud
LOM – low on mana
Loot – picking up the drop (see drop) from a mob. Loot is also used as a replacement of the word drop in some cases. In groups there are several looting systems which gives everyone in the group a fair part of the drop
LOS – line of sight. May be used when a tank pulls (see below) caster mobs to force them into melee range, thus allowing him/her to tank them.
Lowbie – a character of low level
LTNS – long time no see
LvL – level
LW – Leatherworker
M
Main – the character that gets the most attention from a player
Mara – Maraudon – a level 40 5-man instance located in Desolace
Master Looter – this is a looting system where a chosen player loots all the drops. However, the master looter can decide that certain drops goes to certain players, and because of this, it is possible that the ML (see ML) does not loot all drops.
MC – a) Molten core – a level 60 40-man raid instance in Blackrock Spire; b) Mind Control, as used by a mob or a Priest.
MD – Misdirect, a hunter ability that redirects their threat to the affected target, usually a tank
Melee – attacking mobs using melee attacks, also used to describe all up-close combatants (Rogues, Warriors, Paladins, Feral Druids, Enhancement Shaman, Death Knight)
MGT – Magister’s Terrace, a level 70 5-man instance on the Isle of Quel’danas (also known as Sunwell Island)
ML – masterlooter
MMO – massively multiplayer online
Mob – an NPC which is attackable. From Mobiles.
MOG – massively online game
MORG – mssively online role-playing game
MMORPG – massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mp5 – mana per 5; refers to your mana regen per 5 seconds
MT – Main Tank; in a group or raid, is the person who is supposed to be holding the aggro from the mobs.
MT – Mana Tombs – a level 65 5-man instance located in Auchindown, Terrokar Forest
MT – mistell
N
Naxx – Naxxramas, a level 80 10 or 25-man (in Heroic mode) raid instance located in Dragonblight, Northrend; this instance was formerly a level 60 40-man raid instance located near Stratholme in Eastern Plaguelands.
Nerf – a term used when you think that some aspects of the game should be weakened (e.g “nerf DKs” = “make DKs less powerful”)
Need – an option that appears when an item of Good quality or higher drops when using the “Need Before Greed” looting system. The option is either between need (which has priority before greed, and chosen by people why needs that item) or greed (less priority than need, and chosen by people why wants the item of pure greed)
Ninja – a term used when someone takes an item they do not actually need. The term is also used about people who perform this act
NVM – never mind
Noob – a) a person who is new to the game, or an aspect of the game (aka newbie); b) A derogatory comment used when someone behaves inappropriately for their level
NPC – Non-Player Character
Nuke – to do as much damage as possible in the least time possible
O
OK – Old Kingdom – a level 75 5-man instance located in Dragonblight, Northrend
OMW – on my way
OO5SR – Outside Of 5 Second Rule (related to your mana regen while not casting)
OOC – out of character (a common term in RP and RPPVP realms)
OOM – out of mana
Orange – Used to describe superior-level gear. This is because the item’s name is orange. (See Legendary)
Org – Orgrimmar, the Horde capital city and home to Orc and Troll races, located in northern Durotar, Kalimdor
Orz – is used to express that you kneel for someone. Read it from the right, and it looks like a kneeling man
OS – Obsidian Sanctum, a 10 or 25 (on Heroic mode) level 80 raid located below the Wyrmcrest Temple, Dragonblight, Northrend
OT – Off-tank (see Tank. Usually used in Raids, referring to a second tank, usually not as geared and assigned to pick up any unexpected mobs or adds
Own – to beat someone in an aspect of the game by far
P
Party – (see group)
Patch – This is an update to the game content, and can affect any aspect of the game. If the game has been updated with a patch, then you must download and install it before you can connect and play again. This is usually done automatically by the game itself. Information on a patch’s content can be found here.
Pew Pew – It is a term used by hunters when they shoot with their gun/bow/crossbow etc. Also referrs to any damage dealer.
PL – powerlevel/-ing/-er (see powerlevel/-ing/-er)
Pop – Use an ability (e.g. Pop heroism)
Pot – potion
Powerlevel/-ing/-er – Powerleveling is a way of playing the game, where you focus on gaining the most levels possible in the lowest time possible. Powerlevelers are the people who perform this way of playing. Powerleveling can be done by people who are good in the game, but it is also possible to order services where other people powelevel for you.
PoS – Parent over Shoulder, keep the swearing down to a minimum. Can also mean Piece of Shit.
Ppl – people
PPM – Proc Per Minute. The amount of time a proc will happen per minute on average. For example, the Rune of the Fallen Crusader enchant has a PPM of 1. Which means that on average, the proc will happen once per minute, regardless of your weapon speed.
Proc – the chance a certain enhancement will apply/take action to a player or NPC. Etymology unknown.
Prot – Protection
PST – Please Send Tell
PTR – Public Test Realm. This is a set of servers where testing of a new patch occurs. More information on the PTR can be found here
Purple – Used to describe superior-level gear. This is because the item’s name is purple. (See Epic)
Pug – Pick Up Group (e.g. pick up 4 random guys to clear an instance)
Pull – a term used when someone gets the aggro of a untapped mob, usually performed by a tank (see below)
PvE – Player vs. Environment
PvP – Player vs. Player
Pwn – Means you owned or destroyed or annihilated a mob, player etc.
Q
QQ – whine/cry
QFT – quoted for truth. Used when you quote a post, to say that you agree with that post; can also be used to keep the original poster honest, as some people change or delete their posts if their opinions are not popular.
R
Raid – The concept of a raid has the same principles as a group, except that a raid consists of several groups.
Rare Spawn – This refers to a creature that has a small chance to spawn instead of a normal creature. Rare spawns are usually zone-specific, and carry better loot than a normal spawn, but are also usually tougher.
Repeatable Quest – A quest that can be turned in over and over again for extra reputation.
Res – (see Resurrection)
Ret – A reference to a Retribution-spec (Melee DPS) Paladin, or any paladin’s Retribution Aura (ability).
Resistance – the chance of which a player or NPC will withstand a damaging spell completely, or to a certain degree. This is determined by stats and level.
Respec – Change how your characters talent points are spent (see Spec)
Resurrection – when you return to your body as a ghost, and then coming back to life via options in a message box that appears when you are close to your corpse as a ghost
Rezz – (see Resurrection)
Re-spawn – a mob that spawns again
RFC – Ragefire Chasm, a level 10 instance inside Orgrimmar
RFD – Razorfen Downs, a level 35-40 instance in Southern Barrens, Kalimdor
RFK – Razorfen Kraul, a level 25-30 instance in Southern Barrens, Kalimdor
RNG – Random Number Generator, The critt, procs, miss/hit “chanse” (can’t find a better word right now.)
ROFL – Rolling On (the) Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO – Rolling On (the) Floor Laughing My Ass Off
Roll – Action of drawing a random number usin “/roll” in orther to win loot
Round Robin – a looting system where everyone loots in turns
RP – role-play (can also refer to the realms with RP+PVE ruleset)
RPPVP – realms with combined RP and PVP ruleset
RR – Redridge Mountains, Eastern Kingdoms (zone)
R/Rdy – Usually asked by a group leader to make sure everybody is ready, and that nobody isn’t aware that there is a pull going on.
S
Scholo – Scholomance, or the School of Necromancy. A level 60 5-man instance located in Western Plaguelands, Eastern Kingdoms
SFK – Shadowfang Keep, a level 20 5-man instance located in Silverpine Forest, Eastern Kingdoms
SH – Sethekk Halls, a level 70 5-man instance located in Auchindown, Terrokar Forest
Shammy – An affectionate term referring to a Shaman
Sheep – To use the mage spell polymorf to turn an enemy into a sheep
SL – Shadow Labyrinth (aka Shadowlab, slab), a level 70 5-man instance located in Auchindown, Terrokar Forest
Shatt – Shattrath, the capital city in Outland, located in Terrokar Forest
Strat – Stratholme, a once human city, located in Eastern Plaguelands, Eastern Kingdoms; May also refer to the Culling of Stratholme level 80 5-man instance in the Caverns of Time if referred as Old Strat.
Superior – This is the third-best quality of items in the game. Superior items have better stats than lower-quality gear, and are usually found in instances or as quest rewards, and can also be crafted.
SM – Scarlet Monastery, an instance hub in Tirisfal Glades, Eastern Kingdoms. Scarlet Monastery has four wings – Graveyard (recommended level 30), Library (level 32), Armory (level 35, has only one boss with lots of trash which drops primarily warrior/paladin gear), Cathedral (level 40). Also can mean Shadowmeld – A racial ability given to Night Elves and allows them to turn stealth but they can’t move.
Snare – an ability that slows down or stops movement of the affected target
SotA – Strand of the Ancients, a PvP Battleground
Spawn – a term used of the fact that mobs reappear
Spec – refers to a talent tree in which characters have spent most of their talent points in
Spriest – refers to a Shadow specced priest
SS – Soulstone, an item created by a Warlock to allow someone to resurrect themselves after death. Usually used on the person rezzing everyone after a wipe.
SSC – Serpentshrine Cavern
ST – Sunken Temple, an instance in Swamp of Sorrows, Eastern Kingdoms
Stationary Support Buff – Primarily refers to a shaman’s totems, but can also be referring to some of the skills used by Death Knights.
Stam – Stamina
Stfu – Shut the **** up. Don’t use it!
Str – Strength
STV – Stranglethorn Vale, a level 30-45 zone in Eastern Kingdoms known for its ganking on PvP realms.
SW – Stormwind, the Human and Alliance capital city in Elwynn Forest, Eastern Kingdoms
T
Tap – the first person to attack a hostile NPC has tapped it. This means that that person will get all loot and XP (see XP) from the mob
Tank – A term used for a player who attempts to hold aggro, or threat, of mobs. Also referrs to a Protection-specced Warrior or Paladin, a Feral Druid in (Dire) Bear form, or a Death Knight who uses Frost Presence. These players typically take talents and use gear that increases the amount of HP they have, reduce the amount of damage they take, decreases the chance they will be hit by attacks and increases the threat (see below) they produce.
Taunt – the ability to gain instant aggro over a mob
TB – Thunderbluff, the tauren capital city in Mulgore, Kalimdor
TBC – The Burning Crusade (see BC)
Threat – This is a function used by all mobs that determines who they attack. Talents, abilities and skills can increase or decrease the amount of threat they generate. Most actions a character performs that can be done to a player or mob cause threat in varying amounts (Healing another player, damaging a mob, etc).
Tots – Totems, a shaman’s main form of buffing. See Stationary Support Buff.
TPK – A Total Party Kill. A term coming from WoW’s DnD origins, meaning the death of everyone in the party. See wipe.
Trash – Refers to mobs that are typically very easy to kill that stand between bosses in or out of instances or group quest objectives.
Twink – a character which is maximized with stats and gear for his/her level
U
UBRS – Upper Blackrock Spire, an instance in Searing Gorge, Eastern Kingdoms
UC – Undercity, the Forsaken capirtal city in Tirisfal Glade, Eastern Kingdoms
UD – Undead
UK – Utgarde Keep, an instance in Howling Fjord, Northrend
UP – Utgarde Pinnacle, an instance in Howling Fjord, Northrend
Uncommon – This is the first level of enhanced gear in the game. Uncommon items usually have increased armor, damage, and/or stats on them. These items can be found most anywhere, dropping as loot, quest rewards or being crafted. This type of item is the lowest quality item that can be disenchanted.
V
VC – VanCleef an instance in Westfall, Eastern Kingdoms, often used as a replacement for DM (Deadmines). Saying “LFG VC” is basically the same as “LFG DM”
Vending Machine – A not so nice term referring to mages
VH – Violet Hold, an instance in Dalaran, Northrend
VoA – Vault of Archavon, an instance in Wintergrasp when your faction has control over Wintergrasp Keep
Vanilla WoW – This is what WoW before Burning Crusade is referred to as. Usually people will say “Back in Vanilla WoW we had a level cap of 60″
W
WC – Wailing Caverns, an instance in the Barrens, Kalimdor
WB – Welcome Back
WF – Westfall, a zone in Eastern Kingdoms
WG – Wintergrasp, a PvP zone in Northrend
Wipe – a situation where everyone in your party/raid (or sometimes just everyone that can rezz people) dies. See TPK
Wisp – A whisper, an in-game private message only the sender and the reciever can get.
WSG – Warsong Gultch, a PvP battleground
WTB – want to buy
WTS – want to sell
WTT – want to trade
World Drop – This refers to an item that can drop anywhere in the game world. Each expansion is considered its own world for this purpose. World drops usually have a small percentage chance to drop from any creature in that world.
WotLK – Wrath of the Lich King, the second WoW expansion. Also Wrath.
WoW – World of Warcraft
X
XP – Experience
XR – Crossroads
Y
Y – yes, can also refer as Why
Yh – yeah
Z
ZA – Zul’Aman, an instance in Ghostlands, Eastern Kingdoms
ZD – Zul’Drak, a zone in Northrend
ZG – Zul’Gurub, an instance in Stranglethorn Vale, Eastern Kingdoms
ZF – Zul’Farrak, an instance in Tanaris, Kalimdor
Zone Drop – This refers to an item that drops in a specific zone. Similar to a world drop, a zone drop has a small chance to drop from any creature in a specific zone.
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