If you are a fan of esports, you may have heard the term ‘frag’ being used by players, commentators, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it relate to different games and genres? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘frag’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is a ‘frag’ in esports?
A ‘frag’ is a slang term used in esports to describe a kill in a first-person shooter (FPS) game. A ‘frag’ usually refers to a single kill, but it can also refer to multiple kills in a row or in a short period of time. A ‘frag’ is often used to measure the performance or the skill of a player or a team, as well as to compare or contrast different players or teams. A ‘frag’ is a crucial factor in esports, as it can determine the outcome of a round, a game, or a match.
The term ‘frag’ comes from the military slang for killing or injuring an enemy with a fragmentation grenade. The term ‘frag’ was popularized by the FPS game Doom, which was released in 1993 and is considered as one of the pioneers of the genre. In Doom, the term ‘frag’ was used to refer to the number of kills a player had in a deathmatch mode, where players competed against each other in a free-for-all or a team-based format. The term ‘frag’ soon became a common term in FPS games, and it is still widely used today.
How is ‘frag’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘frag’ originated from FPS games, it has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), Real-Time Strategy (RTS), or Fighting games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘frag’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘frag’ is used in different esports genres:
In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, a ‘frag’ is used to describe a kill or an assist in a game. In MOBA games, a ‘frag’ is typically a feature of every character, but it is more important for carry or damage dealer characters, who rely on ‘frags’ to become stronger and more impactful in the game. A ‘frag’ is also a factor of strategy and counterplay, as some characters or items may have ‘frag’ increase, decrease, or denial. Some examples of ‘frag’ characters or items in MOBA games are Katarina, Bounty Hunter, or Pyke.
In RTS games, such as StarCraft, Age of Empires, or Warcraft, a ‘frag’ is used to describe a unit or a building that is destroyed or captured in a game. In RTS games, a ‘frag’ is usually a primary or essential feature of the game, as it determines the economy, production, or power of the player or the faction. A ‘frag’ is also a factor of strategy and counterplay, as some factions or units may have ‘frag’ efficiency, diversity, or harassment. Some examples of ‘frag’ units or buildings in RTS games are Marines, Villagers, or Town Centers.
In Fighting games, such as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, a ‘frag’ is used to describe a character that is knocked out or finished in a game. In Fighting games, a ‘frag’ is usually a result or a consequence of a successful or a failed action, rather than a deliberate or a strategic one. A ‘frag’ is often used to create or break combos, or to punish or reward mistakes. Some examples of ‘frag’ moves or finishers in Fighting games are Shoryuken, Rage Art, or Fatal Blow.
What are some examples of ‘frag’ players or moments in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘frag’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘frag’ players or moments in esports:
In CS:GO, one of the most iconic ‘frag’ players is Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, who is considered as one of the best players in the world. S1mple is known for his amazing aim, reflexes, and clutch ability. He can ‘frag’ almost any opponent, even when facing multiple enemies or unfavorable odds. Some of his memorable ‘frag’ moments are his 1v4 on Cache, his 1v2 on Inferno, and his 1v3 on Train.
In League of Legends, one of the most legendary ‘frag’ moments is the xPeke backdoor, which occurred in the 2013 Intel Extreme Masters Katowice tournament. In the semifinals, Fnatic was facing SK Gaming, and the game was very close and tense. In the final minutes, Fnatic’s mid laner Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martínez decided to sneak into SK Gaming’s base and attack their Nexus, while the rest of his team distracted the enemy. Despite being chased and attacked by SK Gaming’s players, xPeke managed to ‘frag’ the Nexus and win the game for Fnatic, in one of the most ‘frag’ plays in esports history.
In Street Fighter, one of the most epic ‘frag’ moments is the Daigo parry, which happened in the 2004 Evolution Championship Series tournament. In the semifinals, Daigo Umehara was facing Justin Wong, and the game was Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. In the final round, Daigo was playing as Ken, and Justin was playing as Chun-Li. Justin had a huge health advantage, and Daigo had only a pixel of health left. Justin activated his Super Art, which was a series of kicks that could easily ‘frag’ Daigo. However, Daigo miraculously parried every single kick, and then countered with his own Super Art, which ‘fragged’ Justin and won the game for Daigo, in one of the most ‘frag’ moments in esports history.
To Sum Up
The term ‘frag’ is a slang term used in esports to describe a kill in a first-person shooter game. The term ‘frag’ comes from the military slang for killing or injuring an enemy with a fragmentation grenade. The term ‘frag’ was popularized by the FPS game Doom, which was released in 1993 and is considered as one of the pioneers of the genre. The term ‘frag’ has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as MOBA, RTS, or Fighting games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘frag’ is often used to praise or criticize a player’s performance, skill, or impact on the game.