meta
MET-uh
/ˈmet.ə/
The most effective tactics, strategies, or character choices currently dominant within a competitive game.
Though often explained as a backronym for 'Most Effective Tactics Available', it actually refers to the 'metagame'—the game about the game, where players adapt to the strategies of others.
The story behind the word. In Greek, 'meta' means 'beyond' or 'after' (as in metaphysics, the study of things beyond physics). In gaming, 'metagame' emerged in the mid-20th century in game theory to describe decisions made outside the literal rules of the game, eventually shortening to 'the meta' in online gaming.
Word relationships
- strategy: Strategy is a general plan, while the meta is the specific, community-wide consensus on the absolute best strategy at a given moment.
- off-meta: Off-meta refers to strategies or characters that are unpopular or considered suboptimal by the community.
Commonly confused with
- mechanics: Mechanics are the hard-coded rules of the game (e.g., how high you jump), while the meta is how players optimize those rules.
Word family
- metagaming (noun): The act of using out-of-game knowledge to influence in-game decisions.
Collocations
- current meta
- meta shift
- follow the meta
- break the meta
Example sentences
- "To win at a high level, you must not only play your cards well but also understand the current meta of the tournament scene." An analysis of competitive strategy in card games. (Magic: The Gathering Strategy Guide, 2014)
- "After the latest patch, using double shields became the dominant meta, and almost every competitive team adopted it." Discussing a competitive balance shift.
Memory hook
The 'meta' is the 'most effective tactic' that is 'beyond' (meta) the basic rules. The game beyond the game.
When not to use
Do not use to describe the basic rules or mechanics of a game, but rather how players choose to play within those rules.
Fun facts
- When game developers want to change the meta, they release 'balance patches' that weaken (nerf) dominant strategies and strengthen (buff) underused ones.
Related words
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