Better words for "buff" and "debuff" [closed]
I have an RPG environment and I'm looking for words that sound better than "buff" for positive modifier and "debuff" for negative modifier. I simply don't like the words but I'm having a hard time finding more appropriate words.
Buff/debuff seems like a good pair of words for the enhance/downgrade contrast that the terms stand for in role-playing games, and they probably are well understood in that environment. You might consider unbuff in place of debuff. Some other possible or impossible pairings: tune/detune, amplify/attenuate, raise/lower, boost/unboost, trim/pare, furbish/disfurbish, augment/deduct, add on/strip, upgrade/downgrade, enhance/detract.
I suggest Augment and Debilitate. It's hard to find words that cover all bonuses and penalties, but I think these do so.
I, myself have tried the same, but the most important part is theme of your status effect. If your buffs/debuffs are all religious, it could be blessing/curse. But if they are all magic, it could be enchant/jinx. For theme-neutral ones, I'd suggest boon/bane or boon/condition (GW2)