Ever felt lost in a League of Legends match because teammates were throwing around terms you didn't understand? Mastering in-game strategy is key, but understanding 'lol slang' is just as crucial for clear communication and teamwork.
At a glance:
- Learn to decipher common League of Legends slang and abbreviations.
- Understand how specific terms relate to in-game roles and strategies.
- Improve your communication and coordination with teammates.
- Avoid misinterpretations that can cost you the game.
- Quickly adapt to evolving slang and new terms in the community.
Why Understanding Lol Slang Matters
League of Legends is more than just clicking and casting spells. It's a team game that demands coordination, and effective communication is paramount. Lol slang, a mix of abbreviations, acronyms, and inside jokes, has evolved to facilitate quick information exchange. Not understanding this slang can lead to miscommunication, missed opportunities, and ultimately, tilting losses. Imagine your jungler asking for a "leash," and you have no idea what they're talking about. That's a wasted opportunity for an early advantage.
Core Lol Slang Categories
Let's break down lol slang into manageable categories:
Champion Roles & Related Terms
Understanding the roles champions play is key to understanding related slang:
- ADC (Attack Damage Carry): Refers to the marksman role, champions who primarily deal physical damage and scale with items, aiming to "carry" the team to victory. Think of characters like Jinx or Vayne.
- Peel: Protecting your ADC or other carries from enemy threats. A tank might "peel" for the ADC, disrupting enemies attempting to attack them.
- Fed: A champion who has accumulated a significant advantage in gold and experience, usually by killing other players. A "fed" ADC is a serious threat.
- Burst: Champions who can deal a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Assassins and some mages excel at "bursting" down targets.
In-Game Actions and States
These terms describe what's happening in the game right now:
- Gank: A surprise attack on a lane, usually by the jungler. "Ganking bot" means the jungler is heading to the bottom lane to help secure kills.
- Farm: Efficiently killing minions and monsters for gold and experience. Good "farming" leads to item advantages.
- KS (Kill Steal): Taking a kill that a teammate was about to secure. While sometimes unavoidable, it's generally frowned upon.
- Dive: Attacking an enemy champion under their turret, accepting the risk of turret damage. "Diving bot" is a risky play, but can secure a crucial kill.
- B: Short for "back," meaning to retreat to base. Used to signal teammates to disengage or avoid a risky situation.
- BD (Backdoor): Attacking the enemy nexus or inhibitors while the enemy team is preoccupied elsewhere. This is a risky strategy often used when the team is behind.
Strategic Objectives & Map Control
These terms are about larger game strategies:
- Baron (Baron Nashor): A powerful neutral monster that grants a significant buff to the team that slays it. Taking "Baron" can swing the momentum of a game.
- Drag (Dragon/Drake): Neutral monsters that grant permanent bonuses to the team that slays them. Each type of dragon offers a different buff (e.g., Cloud Drake provides movement speed). Securing "Dragons" is crucial for long-term team strength.
- Inhib (Inhibitor): A structure in each lane of the enemy base. Destroying an "Inhibitor" spawns super minions in that lane, putting pressure on the enemy base.
- Push: Advancing down a lane to destroy enemy turrets and objectives. "Pushing mid" means focusing on taking down the middle lane turrets.
Communication Shortcuts
These are the essential abbreviations for quick communication:
- OMW (On My Way): Indicates that you are moving towards a specific location.
- AFK (Away From Keyboard): Indicates that a player is not actively playing the game, usually due to being away from their computer.
- FF (Forfeit): A vote to surrender the game.
- GLHF (Good Luck Have Fun): A common greeting at the start of a match.
- BG (Bad Game): Typically used self-deprecatingly after a loss or poor performance.
- CD (Cooldown): Refers to the amount of time before an ability can be used again.
- CC (Crowd Control): Abilities that hinder movement or actions (stun, snare, silence, etc.).
Items & Builds
These are item-related abbreviations you should know:
- BoRK/BotRK/BRK (Blade of the Ruined King): A popular item for ADCs and fighters.
- Build: Refers to the sequence and selection of items a player purchases throughout the game.
To get a broader view of the game's terminology, including definitions of key roles and damage types, check out our full guide to League of Legends meanings.
Common Misinterpretations and How to Avoid Them
Lol slang can be ambiguous. Here are some common pitfalls:
- "Report [Champion Name]": This doesn't automatically mean a player will be punished. It simply indicates that a player is being reported for violating the Summoner's Code. The system then reviews the report.
- Assuming Intent: Just because someone says "KS" doesn't necessarily mean they intentionally stole the kill. Sometimes it's accidental. Don't assume malice.
- Outdated Slang: Lol, like the internet, constantly evolves. Terms fall out of favor, and new ones emerge. Stay updated by watching streams and reading community forums.
- Regional Differences: Some slang might be more common in certain regions. If you're playing with people from different servers, be prepared to ask for clarification.
Mastering Lol Slang: A Practical Playbook
Here's a step-by-step guide to improve your slang game:
- Start with the Basics: Focus on the most common terms listed above.
- Observe: Pay attention to the chat during your games. Note down any terms you don't understand and look them up later.
- Watch Streams and Pro Games: Streamers and pro players often use slang naturally. This is a great way to learn new terms and hear them used in context.
- Join Online Communities: Participate in League of Legends forums, subreddits, and Discord servers. These are great places to ask questions and learn from other players.
- Practice: Actively use the slang you've learned in your games. The more you use it, the more natural it will become.
- Don't Be Afraid to Ask: If you're unsure about a term, don't hesitate to ask your teammates. Most players are happy to explain.
Quick Answers: Lol Slang FAQs
- What does "tilt" mean? "Tilt" refers to a state of frustration and anger that negatively impacts your gameplay.
- What's the difference between "MR" and "Armor"? "MR" (Magic Resist) reduces magic damage, while "Armor" reduces physical damage (attack damage).
- Why do people say "gg ez"? "gg ez" (good game easy) is a sarcastic and often toxic comment made after a game. It's considered bad sportsmanship.
- What does "inting" mean? "Inting" is short for intentionally feeding, meaning deliberately dying to the enemy team. It's a reportable offense.
- What is "ASU"? "ASU" stands for Art & Sustainability Update - An update to a champion's design, model, splash arts, animations, rig, visual effects, and voice over; does not include major changes to narrative or gameplay.
Level Up Your Communication
Understanding lol slang is an ongoing process. The game is constantly evolving, and so is the language used by its players. By actively learning and adapting, you can improve your communication, coordination, and overall performance in League of Legends. Start with the basics, observe how others use slang, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your teammates (and your win rate) will thank you.