If you are interested in esports, you may have heard the term ‘farming’ being used by players, commentators, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it affect the gameplay and strategy of different esports titles? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘farming’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is ‘farming’ in esports?
‘Farming’ is a term used in esports to describe the act of repeatedly killing non-player characters (NPCs) or performing actions that grant experience, gold, or other benefits to the player or the character. ‘Farming’ is often used to increase the level, power, or wealth of the player or the character, as well as to gain an advantage over the opponent. ‘Farming’ is a crucial factor in esports, as it can determine the pace, outcome, or style of a game or a match.
The term ‘farming’ comes from the genre of Role-Playing Games (RPG), where it is used to describe a tactic of grinding or farming for resources, items, or skills. In RPG games, such as World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, or Diablo, ‘farming’ is often used to improve the character’s attributes, equipment, or abilities, as well as to complete quests or challenges. ‘Farming’ can also vary depending on the type, level, or rarity of the resource, item, or skill.
How is ‘farming’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘farming’ originated from RPG games, it has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), First-Person Shooter (FPS), or Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘farming’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘farming’ is used in different esports genres:
• In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, ‘farming’ is used to describe the process of killing minions, monsters, or structures that provide experience or gold to the player or the character. In MOBA games, ‘farming’ is typically a feature of every character, but it is more important for carry or damage dealer characters, who rely on ‘farming’ to become stronger and more impactful in the game. ‘Farming’ is also a factor of strategy and counterplay, as some characters or items may have ‘farming’ enhancement, disruption, or denial. Some examples of ‘farming’ actions or items in MOBA games are last-hitting, jungling, or Hand of Midas.
• In FPS games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, ‘farming’ is used to describe the act of killing enemies or objectives that provide money, points, or ultimates to the player or the character. In FPS games, ‘farming’ is usually a secondary or tertiary feature of the game, rather than a primary one. ‘Farming’ is often used to supplement or support the main goal of the game, which is to win rounds or matches, rather than to dominate or carry the game. Some examples of ‘farming’ actions or items in FPS games are eco rounds, headshots, or ultimate charge.
• In RTS games, such as StarCraft, Age of Empires, or Warcraft, ‘farming’ is used to describe the act of gathering resources, building units, or researching technologies that provide income, army, or advantage to the player or the faction. In RTS games, ‘farming’ is usually a primary or essential feature of the game, as it determines the economy, production, or power of the player or the faction. ‘Farming’ is also a factor of strategy and counterplay, as some factions or units may have ‘farming’ efficiency, diversity, or harassment. Some examples of ‘farming’ actions or units in RTS games are mining, expanding, or worker rush.
What are some examples of ‘farming’ players or strategies in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘farming’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘farming’ players or strategies in esports:
In League of Legends, one of the most proficient ‘farming’ players is Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu, who is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Deft is known for his incredible mechanical skill, positioning, and consistency. He can play any carry or damage dealer champion, but he is most renowned for his marksman ‘farming’ performances, where he often accumulates the most gold and damage in the game and carries his team to victory. Some of his signature ‘farming’ champions are Jinx, Ezreal, and Kai’Sa.
In CS:GO, one of the most clever ‘farming’ strategies is the Astralis utility, which was popularized by the Danish team Astralis, who is considered as one of the best teams in the world. The Astralis utility is a tactic that involves using grenades, such as flashbangs, molotovs, or smoke grenades, to deal damage or disrupt the enemy, as well as to create openings or advantages for the team. The Astralis utility is a ‘farming’ strategy that maximizes the money, points, or ultimates of the team, as well as the coordination and communication of the team.
In StarCraft, one of the most dominant ‘farming’ players is Joona “Serral” Sotala, who is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Serral is known for his impeccable macro, micro, and decision making. He can play any race or style, but he is most famous for his Zerg ‘farming’ performances, where he often overwhelms his opponents with his economy, army, or technology. Some of his notable ‘farming’ achievements are his 2018 WCS Global Finals win, his 2019 WESG win, and his 2020 IEM Katowice win.
To Sum Up
The term ‘farming’ is a common esports term that refers to the act of repeatedly killing NPCs or performing actions that grant experience, gold, or other benefits to the player or the character. The term ‘farming’ originated from RPG games, where it is used to describe a tactic of grinding or farming for resources, items, or skills. However, the term ‘farming’ has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as MOBA, FPS, or RTS games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘farming’ is often used to analyze or evaluate a player’s performance, skill, or impact on the game.