If you are fascinated by esports, you may have noticed the term ‘HP’ being used by players, commentators, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it relate to the gameplay and mechanics of different esports titles? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘HP’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is ‘HP’ in esports?
‘HP’ is an acronym for ‘Hit Points’, which is a common term used in esports to describe a numerical representation of a character’s health. ‘HP’ usually refers to the amount of damage a character can take before they die or are eliminated from the game. The higher the ‘HP’, the more durable or resilient the character is. The lower the ‘HP’, the more vulnerable or fragile the character is. ‘HP’ is a crucial factor in esports, as it can influence the survival, performance, or impact of a character.
The term ‘HP’ comes from the role-playing game (RPG) genre, where it is used as a game mechanic to measure the health or vitality of a character. The term ‘HP’ was popularized by the RPG game Dungeons & Dragons, which was released in 1974 and is considered as one of the pioneers of the genre. In Dungeons & Dragons, the term ‘HP’ was used to indicate the amount of damage a character could sustain before they were incapacitated or killed. The term ‘HP’ soon became a universal term in gaming, and it is still widely used today.
How is ‘HP’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘HP’ originated from RPG games, it has since been adopted by various esports genres, such as First-Person Shooter (FPS), Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), or Fighting games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘HP’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘HP’ is used in different esports genres:
In FPS games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, ‘HP’ is used to describe the amount of health a character has in a game. In FPS games, ‘HP’ is typically a feature of every character, but it may vary in value, regeneration, or display depending on the character’s design, role, or ability. ‘HP’ is also a factor of skill and strategy, as some weapons or abilities may have ‘HP’ modification, enhancement, or reduction. Some examples of ‘HP’ weapons or abilities in FPS games are headshots, armor, or healing.
In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, ‘HP’ is used to describe the amount of health a character or an objective has in a game. In MOBA games, ‘HP’ is typically a feature of every character and every objective, but it may vary in value, regeneration, or display depending on the character’s type, role, or level. ‘HP’ is also a factor of strategy and counterplay, as some characters or items may have ‘HP’ increase, decrease, or mitigation. Some examples of ‘HP’ characters or items in MOBA games are tanks, supports, or health potions.
In Fighting games, such as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, ‘HP’ is used to describe the amount of health a character has in a game. In Fighting games, ‘HP’ is usually a result or a consequence of a successful or a failed action, rather than a deliberate or a strategic one. ‘HP’ is often used to create or break combos, or to punish or reward mistakes. Some examples of ‘HP’ moves or finishers in Fighting games are throws, counters, or fatalities.
What are some examples of ‘HP’ players or moments in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘HP’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘HP’ players or moments in esports:
In CS:GO, one of the most incredible ‘HP’ moments is the Happy deagle ace, which occurred in the 2015 DreamHack Open London tournament. In the quarterfinals, Team EnVyUs was facing Team SoloMid, and the game was very close and tense. In the 15th round, Team EnVyUs’s Vincent “Happy” Schopenhauer decided to use his Desert Eagle pistol to shoot five enemies in a row, while having only 12 ‘HP’ left. This ‘HP’ play amazed the crowd and the commentators, and it helped Team EnVyUs win the round, the game, and eventually the tournament.
In League of Legends, one of the most remarkable ‘HP’ players is Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who is widely regarded as the best player of all time. Faker is known for his incredible mechanical skill, game knowledge, and versatility. He can play any role or champion, but he is most famous for his mid lane performances, where he often dominates his opponents and carries his team to victory. Faker has achieved the highest ‘HP’ value in the world several times, and he has won three World Championships, two Mid-Season Invitationals, and nine domestic titles with his team, SK Telecom T1.
In Street Fighter, one of the most epic ‘HP’ 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 ‘HP’ left. Justin activated his Super Art, which was a series of kicks that could easily kill Daigo. However, Daigo miraculously parried every single kick, and then countered with his own Super Art, which knocked out Justin and won the game for Daigo, in one of the most ‘HP’ moments in esports history.
To Sum Up
The term ‘HP’ is an acronym for ‘Hit Points’, which is a common term used in esports to describe a numerical representation of a character’s health. The term ‘HP’ comes from the role-playing game genre, where it is used as a game mechanic to measure the health or vitality of a character. The term ‘HP’ was popularized by the RPG game Dungeons & Dragons, which was released in 1974 and is considered as one of the pioneers of the genre. The term ‘HP’ has since been adopted by various esports genres, such as FPS, MOBA, or Fighting games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘HP’ is often used to analyze or evaluate a character’s survival, performance, or impact on the game.