Status effect

In video games, a status effect—also called a status condition or status ailment—is a temporary modification to a character’s attributes, abilities, or conditions. Status effects are a prominent feature in many massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), where they are commonly referred to as buffs (which provide positive enhancements to attributes like damage, defense, or speed) and debuffs (which impose negative conditions such as reduced damage, immobilization, or damage-over-time).

In MMORPGs, these mechanics play a central role in combat and progression systems, shaping player strategy, group coordination, and class roles.