Nerf

A nerf is a balance change that makes a character, weapon, ability, or item weaker, usually delivered in a patch. Developers nerf things that are too strong or too popular, in order to keep the game fair and varied. The term is the opposite of a buff.

Nerfs reshape the strongest picks in a game, so a heavily nerfed character can fall out of favor overnight. The word comes from the foam Nerf toy brand, implying something has been made harmlessly soft. For collectors and competitive players alike, nerfs are a key reason the list of best characters keeps changing patch to patch.