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Dungeons & Dragonsis accessible these days. With online resources, tools, and a huge community, it’s easier than ever to find games, ask questions, and learn how to play. Still, veteran players sometimes throw around acronyms, slang terms, and RPG-specific vocabulary like they’re common knowledge.
Newer players (especially shy ones) tend to nod and play along, hoping to figure out the meaning of these words later, and that’s why we’ve compiled a list of D&D terms, acronyms, and slang. Each one is explained and demystified for players who are new to the hobby. No more nodding and smiling politely; for now, you are armed with a full set of D&D vocabulary!
Acronyms For Dungeons & Dragons
D&D is a roleplaying game (RPG) where player characters (PCs) want to avoid total party kills (TPKs). So, the first one is an abbreviation and not technically an acronym. Nonetheless, the sentence proves a point -D&D shortens and abbreviates many commonly used terms and phrases.
The following list is not exhaustive, but it covers most acronyms you’ll hear at a D&D session:
Meaning
AC
AC stands for Armour Class. This value represents how hard it is for enemies to hit you in battle. If an enemy’s attack roll meets or exceeds your AC, it’s a hit.
AE
Absorb Elements is a spell that lessens the damage from incoming elemental attacks. It also stores some of that energy for your next attack.
ASI
Ability Score Improvement happens for most characters at levels 4, 8, 12, 16, and 19. There are some exceptions for Fighters and Rogues.
AoE
Area of Effect refers to a spell that affects an area rather than a single target or creature. AoE attacks can often affect multiple enemies at once.
Copper Pieces are the smallest unit of currency in-game.
CR
Monsters have a Challenge Rating that correlates to the minimum level your players should be before taking that monster on.
DC
Difficulty Class represents how hard it is to do something. It’s a numerical value players must meet or exceed on a d20 to succeed in the task.
DM
Dungeon Masters run and adjudicate games of D&D, playing the role of NPCs, monsters, and villains.
DPR
Damage Per Round is an average value of how much damage a character (or party) can do in a single round.
EP
Electrum Pieces are currency made from natural gold-silver alloy. One EP is worth 1/2 a Gold Piece.
Gold Pieces.
HP
Hit Points are a measure of your character’s health and vitality. When your HP reaches zero, you’re incapacitated and can potentially die.
IC
In-character refers to actions and dialogue made by your in-game character, as opposed to you the player.
Long Rest restores Hit Points and spells in magic slots.
MAD
Multi Ability Dependent refers to classes that need high scores in more than one ability to function optimally. Monks, Paladins, and Rangers are all MAD classes.
OA
Opportunity Attacks occur when enemies or player characters try to move out of melee range without disengaging. Opportunity Attacks use a reaction.
OoC
Out of character refers to anything you the player do as opposed to your in-game character. (You may have seen this abbreviation in MMOs.
PB
Proficiency Bonus refers to an additional number that’s added to skills, saving throws, tool checks, spell attacks, and weapon attacks. It represents how good you are at that particular skill. PB increases as you level up.
RAF
Rules as fun refer to games where the rules exist to facilitate a fun experience.
RAI
Rules as intended mean the DM interprets the intention behind the rules and adjudicates accordingly. Cheesing is often not allowed in RAI games.
RAW
Rules as written games use the rules exactly as they are printed. DMs in a RAW game will often allow the player to exploit game mechanics and even cheese a little.
SAD
A Single Ability Dependent character only needs a high score in one ability to function optimally.
Silver Pieces.
THP
Temporary Hit Points are hit points triggered by certain spells or abilities. Because they are separate from your true hit points. THP allows you to exceed your normal HP maximum.
TPK
A total party kill means everyone in your adventuring party dies, and the adventure ends.
Experience Points.
RPG-Specific Terms For Dungeons & Dragons
Acronyms might be the most impenetrable part of D&D jargon, but many terms can be confusing.Some of these words also describe mechanics and gameplay elements from RPG video games, where knowledge of game systems is less important for the player.
Understanding the following D&D terminology can also help you get a deeper experience with RPG video games!
