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Glossary - Elder Scrolls Online Acronyms

kijima
kijima
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Thanks to @Leftraru for pointing out that there is no Glossary for all the Acronyms that get thrown around this forum all day, every day.

It sometimes can be a bit hard for someone new to Elder Scrolls to follow the conversation. So if it's all new to you, this might help... hopefully.

AD - Aldmeri Dominion
AFK - Away from Keyboard
Aggro - how threatening a monster finds you, and decides who to hit.
AH - Auction House
AoE - area of effect
API - application programming interface
AvA - alliance versus alliance
Buff - An effect that makes a gaming character stronger
DC - Daggerfall Covenant
DK - Dragonknight
DoT - Damage over time
DPS - Damage per second
EP - Ebonheart Pact
ESO - The Elder Scrolls Online, the game.
FOV - Field of view (in context FOV slider)
FPS - Frames per second
HOT - Heal over time
LFG: look for group
LMB - Left mouse button
MMO - A massively multiplayer online game
MMORPG - Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mob - Hostile NPC's
Mundus - The plane or realm of existence that encompasses Nirn, its moons and attendant planets
NB - nightblade
Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character weaker
Nirn - The planet on which the Elder Scrolls is set
NPCs -Listing of all non-player characters in the game
OOM - Out of Mana
OP - Over Powered
Proc - "programmed random occurrence", i.e. random additional buff when using a skill
PuG - pick up group
PvE - Player versus environment
PvP - Player versus Player
RMB - Right mouse button
RPG - Role playing game
Tank - a character built to withstand repeated and excessive physical blows, so as to divert, distract, or absorb 
TESO - The Elder Scrolls Online
UESP - The Unofficial Elder scrolls Pages
UI - user interface
WTB - Want to buy
WTS - want to sell
XP - Experience
ZOS - ZeniMax Online Studios, the developer of the game
Edited by kijima on April 1, 2014 9:14PM
Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
Kijima - AD DK Derps
Annure - AD NB Derps
Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • Furgus
    Furgus
    First listed PvP is infact PvE I am sure all of you will figure that out but though I would mention anyway.
  • Ariane
    Ariane
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    Thanks! These kind of guides are very helpful for new gamers :) I would add too:

    AoE: area of effect
    AvA: alliance versus alliance
    DK: dragonknight
    DoT: damage over time
    LFG: look for group
    NB: nightblade
    Proc: "programmed random occurrence", i.e. random aditional buff when using a skill
    PuG: pick up group
    "I am not an Argonian. I am a crocodile"
  • kijima
    kijima
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    Thanks @Ariane I'll add them to the list. :)

    @Furgus thanks for the pickup ;)
    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • Fexelea
    Fexelea
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    Thank you for this! I've added it to the wiki's FAQ since it's some really useful information: http://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/FAQ

    One note: Nerf says
    Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character stronger
    I imagine this means
    Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character/item weaker

    Or do I have the meaning of Nerf confused xD
    Join the fan-powered community wiki for Elder Scrolls Online.
    https://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/Elder+Scrolls+Online+Wiki. All Eso Sets
    or check out the Dark Souls Wiki. We also have a Sekiro Wiki Bloodborne Wiki, Elden Ring Wiki and Dark Souls 3 Wiki

  • murpf
    murpf
    Nerf is a character getting weaker. but it more so applies to a patch change made by the dev teams. the word i believe the op is trying to describe is a debuff.

    but to add,

    WTS: short form for want to sell example in chat say: WTS leather
    WTB: same as above but want to buy
    Aggro: aggro is the same as threat, basically its how threatening a monster finds you, and decides who to hit. example: tanks usually give out high amounts of aggro/threat to maintain monsters hitting them.
    Mob: is basically a npc but this term is usually used by players to address hostile npc's.
    oom: out of mana. pretty self explanatory.
    HOT: heal over time. the opposite of a DOT.

    There is much more, but this is all i can think of off the top of my head.

    have fun people.
    Edited by murpf on March 31, 2014 8:28PM
  • murpf
    murpf
    hmm i also forgot to add, but there really is no point to include auction house info. since there apparently is not one included in eso.
  • kijima
    kijima
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    murpf wrote: »
    hmm i also forgot to add, but there really is no point to include auction house info. since there apparently is not one included in eso.

    Yes, however the fact AH isn't in game seems to be getting quite a bit of air play on the forum currently. That's why I thought I'd put it in there.
    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • kijima
    kijima
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    Fexelea wrote: »
    Thank you for this! I've added it to the wiki's FAQ since it's some really useful information: http://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/FAQ

    One note: Nerf says
    Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character stronger
    I imagine this means
    Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character/item weaker

    Or do I have the meaning of Nerf confused xD

    When I was writing them out, before I put them in order alphabetically, I wrote buff and nerf at that same time since they are opposites, thanks for the pickup, I'll edit that now.

    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • kijima
    kijima
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    Thankyou to @murph I'm adding in yours now.
    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • Auldjohn
    Auldjohn
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    @kijima‌,

    Shared your Glossary of Acronyms on our Guild site's New Members Guides section, giving you full attribution. Great summary that is really useful, especially to players new to MMORPGs.

    OK with you? :o(Sorry, I should have asked first). :o

    PM me with your response.
    Edited by Auldjohn on April 1, 2014 7:07AM
    @AuldjohnThe Elder Sages' GuildMaster Sage & Co-Founderfacebook.com/groups/theeldersagesguild
    "Old gamers never die; they just respawn and game on!" • Our Slogan: Have Fun!!

    Moot Envoy • Tamriel Foundry Adept • Steam ID Auldjohn
    YouTube auldjohnmastersage • Twitch AuldjohnPCGamer• Steam Group TESGs
  • Zerl
    Zerl
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    Gank - Catching a Player(s) by surprise
    Zerg - Movement of a large mass of Players

    I'm sure there are more, but I'm meant to be working so I didn't have alot of time. ;)
  • kijima
    kijima
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    Auldjohn wrote: »
    @kijima‌,

    Shared your Glossary of Acronyms on our Guild site's New Members Guides section, giving you full attribution. Great summary that is really useful, especially to players new to MMORPGs.

    OK with you? :o(Sorry, I should have asked first). :o

    PM me with your response.

    All good, and you have a PM. :#

    Thanks @Zerl‌

    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • murpf
    murpf
    np, but you need to correct nerf. its not : Nerf - An effect that makes a gaming character stronger. a nerf is weakening a class/spec/weapon to bring it inline with other class/spec/weapons.

    there is also

    op- over powered.
  • Sentience_Seeker
    Sentience_Seeker
    Soul Shriven
    I'd also suggest adding DC, AD, and EP for Daggerfall Covenant, Aldmeri Dominion, and Ebonheart Pact, respectively.
  • MistryssNite
    MistryssNite
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    What is this AFK that I keep seeing? You might also want to add some general chat acronyms.
    Current main: Pe'tra
    Female Khajiit Templar of the Aldmeri Dominion
    Feel free to join her in questing ^.^
    It's just been a morning of death
  • kijima
    kijima
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    What is this AFK that I keep seeing? You might also want to add some general chat acronyms.

    AFK = Away from Keyboard

    How did I miss that one, thanks @MistryssNite‌

    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • Auldjohn
    Auldjohn
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    @kijima‌

    @Casdha‌ (TESG's Master Sage Turn2) added to the following to my repost on our Guild site:
    OOM Out of Magicka
    TES The Elder Scrolls

    @Aren_Liore‌ (also a TESG Master Sage) added the already mentioned:
    AD Aldmeri Domnion
    DC Daggerfall Covenant
    EP Ebonheart Pact

    I suggest:
    AAK Asleep At Keyboard
    BIO Biology Break (polite for bathroom break)
    CU Short for 'bye
    EU EU Megaserver
    FRD Fus Ro Dah!
    L8R See you later
    NA NA Megaserver
    TTFN 'Bye
    @AuldjohnThe Elder Sages' GuildMaster Sage & Co-Founderfacebook.com/groups/theeldersagesguild
    "Old gamers never die; they just respawn and game on!" • Our Slogan: Have Fun!!

    Moot Envoy • Tamriel Foundry Adept • Steam ID Auldjohn
    YouTube auldjohnmastersage • Twitch AuldjohnPCGamer• Steam Group TESGs
  • phermitgb
    phermitgb
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    couple of enhancements and additions...

    I've seen DW being used a lot, which is short for "dual wielding"

    TTFN actually stood at some point for "ta ta for now!" which, as explained above, basically means goodbye - just like CU is short for "see you (later), which is the front end of L8R, short of course for "(see you) later."

    since we're starting to refer to the weapon skill lines with abbreviations like DW, you might also want to include
    1H (1-handed weapons)
    2H (2 handed weapons)

    not sure what the common abbreviations are for Sword and Board (SnB?), or the bow skills, or the staff skills, but there's some additions for you if you want

    also, PnP (short for Pen-and-Paper, a reference to pen-and-paper based role playing games) might not be a bad idea to include - I've seen it several times in the earlier bethesda hosted forums, and it probably pops up here every now and then
    Edited by phermitgb on April 2, 2014 3:45AM
    "There is no correct resolution; It's a test of character."
    James T. Kirk
  • fosley_ESO
    fosley_ESO
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    I'm sure half the people in the game couldn't tell the different anyways, but since you've got most of them using title case: It should be "FoV" and "HoT", because the prepositions ("of" and "over") are lower case when written in a title. Hypothetically, Looking for Group should be title case, but I have *always* seen it written as "LFG", "LFR", "LFD", etc., so unless someone else has other experience I'd leave that one alone, along with "FPS" and "OOM".

    I've seen it "officially" stated that acronyms are always upper case no matter what, and others stating that they should follow title case, so I don't think either is wrong, per se. I'd just suggest picking one format or the other and using it. You could also fix several of the definitions, since you go back and forth on that, but that annoys me slightly less. :)

    As for "nerf", it doesn't inherently refer to the character. If you nerf a boss, the boss is weaker. If you nerf an ability, the ability is weaker. So nerfs can effectively make the player stronger *or* weaker, depending on the context. To my knowledge, it basically means "turned my super epic bow into a Nerf bow", which is a toy that shoots foam arrows that are (mostly) harmless to humans -- or dragons.

    You might also add in:
    - "debuff", an effect that makes the target weaker
    - "DD", "damage dealer", a character whose primary role is dealing damage
    - "HPS", heals per second, a measurement of healing output during a fight
    - "toon", just refers to a character, probably from Who Framed Roger Rabbit
    - "squishy", refers to any character who can't take much damage before dying
    - "threat", another word for "aggro"
    - "lag", which means any kind of stutter or slowdown in the game
    - "latency", which technically is the same as "lag", but usually refers to network ping times, or the time it take to get data from you to the server and back
    - "WTT", or "want to trade"
    - "RNG", for "random number generator", refers to the game's algorithms to determine if an ability hit and for how hard, or what loot dropped, etc.
    - "exp", short for "experience" (I've also seen "EP", but not in a while)
    - "WTH", "WTF", "WTFH", meaning "what was that about?", generally considered somewhat rude, in order from weakest to strongest in "offensiveness".

    And you might update the definition of "DPS" to include both "a measurement of damage output during a fight", and "a character whose primary role is dealing damage".

    Also, a "tank", in modern usage, is a class designed to dodge, mitigate, or absorb damage with high efficiency (you mostly said this), as well as maintain the highest threat against enemies, so the enemies mostly attack only said tank (you neglected this part, though my beta experiences as a healer show this part of tanking might be a bit less absolute than EQ or WoW tanking).
  • Fexelea
    Fexelea
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    So many more that I hadn't thought of. Thank you everyone and Kijima for keeping OP updated
    Join the fan-powered community wiki for Elder Scrolls Online.
    https://elderscrollsonline.wiki.fextralife.com/Elder+Scrolls+Online+Wiki. All Eso Sets
    or check out the Dark Souls Wiki. We also have a Sekiro Wiki Bloodborne Wiki, Elden Ring Wiki and Dark Souls 3 Wiki

  • irdalove
    irdalove
    gotta have twink in there too!
    I gotta go. I have a tiny world to save.
  • Spike914
    Spike914
    Thanks for posting this Kijima!
  • Zakalwe
    Zakalwe
    FF - Focus Fire. Used to denote a target all members of the group should direct their attacks against. E.g. "FF Sent" Would mean "Focus Fire Sentinels (because the stupid templar healer forgot how to dodge attacks!)"
    Don't hit me, I'm a medic!
  • Nivinfarr
    Nivinfarr
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    Sorry about the necro, but this seems like the right place to ask: What does vDSA mean?
  • Elsonso
    Elsonso
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    vDSA = Veteran Dragonstar Arena

    (or just DSA for short, if context of Normal/Veteran is already known)
    Edited by Elsonso on May 9, 2015 3:34PM
    PC NA/EU: @Elsonso
    XBox EU/NA: @ElsonsoJannus
    X/Twitter: ElsonsoJannus
  • kijima
    kijima
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    This thread will probably get another necro in June with the console release I'd wager.
    Been here since Feb 2014 - You'd think I'd be half reasonable at this game by now...

    A'marta - AD Sorc Tank
    Kijima - AD DK Derps
    Annure - AD NB Derps
    Boom Crash Opera - AD Sorc DPS

  • Cuyler
    Cuyler
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    kijima wrote: »
    This thread will probably get another necro in June with the console release I'd wager.

    Oh yeah. lets keep it undead!

    CS - Champion system
    CPs - Champion Points
    VR - Veteran Rank
    Pledge - Daily random dungeon quest
    Gold Key - Optional daily veteran dungeon quest reward
    Cyro - Cyrodiil
    "E" - Enlightenment (e.g. XP gain boost)
    "I" - Inspiration (e.g. crafting XP)
    Grind - Repetitively kill NPC mobs for XP.
    Farm - Repetitively collect crafting materials and/or complete dungeons for specific gear (e.g. helm farming).

    IMO, IMHO - in my opinion, in my humble opinion
    IIRC - If I recall correctly

    Any dungeon name i.e.

    SO - Sanctum Ophidia
    AA - Aetherian Archive
    HRC, HR - Hel Ra Citadel
    DSA, vDSA - Dragonstar Arena, Veteran Dragonstar Arena
    CoA, vCoA - City of Ash, Veteran City of Ash
    DsC - Darkshade Caverns
    EH - Elden Hollow
    FG - Fungal Grotto
    BC - Banished Cells and/or Blessed Crucible
    SC - Spindleclutch
    WS - Wayrest Sewers
    CoH - Crypt of Hearts
    AC - Arx Corinium
    DfK - Direfrost Keep
    SW - Selene's Web
    TI - Tempest Island
    VF - Volen Fell
    VoM - Vaults of Madness
    BH - Blackheart Haven

    Did I miss any?


    Edited by Cuyler on May 12, 2015 3:05PM
    Guild: STACK n BURN (gm) PC - NA
    CP 810 18 Maxed Characters:
    "How hard can u guar?" - Rafishul[/spoiler]
  • cyclonus11
    cyclonus11
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    CC - Crowd Control
    MoL - Maw of Lorkhaj
    OP - Overpowered or Original Post/Poster
    v - Veteran version of Dungeon/Trial (proceeds dungeon/trial's acronym)
    MA - Maelstrom Arena
    RNG - Random Number Generator (for determining loot, damage, etc.)
  • devilsTear
    devilsTear
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    What does RvR stand for?
  • nordsavage
    nordsavage
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    UESP.net has had one for a long time.

    http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Online:Abbreviations_and_Terms
    Edited by nordsavage on May 9, 2016 6:47PM
    I didn't choose tank life, tank life chose me.
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