nerf

the act of reducing the power or effectiveness of a weapon, ability, or strategy in order to balance or improve gameplay

A nerf refers to a change in a video game that reduces the strength or effectiveness of a character, weapon, ability, or feature. This adjustment is typically made to improve the balance of the game, especially when certain elements are considered too powerful and disrupt fair gameplay. For instance, if a weapon is too strong and makes the game unfair, it might receive a nerf to make it less effective. While nerfs are meant to create a more balanced experience, they can frustrate players who preferred the stronger version of the element.