Encounter

Discover common terminology used during encounters.

General

iLvl	"Item Level" is a property of gear that reflects the approximate effectiveness of the item. It is not the level required to equip the item.
BiS	"Best-in-Slot" refers to specific equipment pieces at a given item level that result in optimal performance for a character.
DPS	"Damage Per Second" is a metric used to measure the amount of damage output a character can deal over time. It is also commonly used to refer to the collective role of melee, physical ranged, and magical ranged damage-dealing jobs in a group.
MT	"Main Tank" is the role assigned to the tank responsible for maintaining aggro on the boss for the majority of the fight. This role typically goes to the tank with higher personal sustain and a less hectic burst window, although exceptions exist.
OT	"Off Tank" is the role assigned to the second tank in a group. Their primary responsibility does not involve initially drawing the boss's aggro but rather handling other aspects of tanking, such as add control or off-tank mechanics.
H1	"Healer One" is a role assigned to one of the healers in a group to differentiate between them for mechanic assignments. This role typically favors pure healers like White Mage or Astrologian.
H2	"Healer Two" is a role assigned to one of the healers in a group to differentiate between them for mechanic assignments. This role typically favors shield healers such as Scholar or Sage.
D1	"DPS One" is a role assigned to one of the DPS players for mechanic assignments. This role typically favors melee DPS jobs like Monk, Dragoon, Ninja, Samurai, or Reaper.
D2	"DPS Two" is a role assigned to one of the DPS players for mechanic assignments. It is a flex slot, often given to another melee DPS job.
D3	"DPS Three" is a role assigned to one of the DPS players for mechanic assignments, typically favoring physical ranged DPS jobs like Bard, Machinist, or Dancer.
D4	"DPS Four" is a role assigned to one of the DPS players for mechanic assignments, typically favoring magical ranged DPS jobs like Black Mage, Summoner, or Red Mage.

Mechanics

AoE	"Area-of-Effect" is a term often used to describe any mechanic or ability that impacts multiple enemies or players within a defined area.
Stack/Soak	"Stack" or "Soak" refers to a mechanic that necessitates the party or a specific number of players to gather together in close proximity to share the damage inflicted by an attack or ability.
Spread	"Spread" signifies a mechanic that requires party members to disperse and position themselves apart from each other to prevent overlapping damage or adverse effects.
Telegraph/Broadcast	"Telegraph" or "Broadcast" is a term used to describe the visual indicators displayed before a mechanic or ability activates. These indicators can include orange circles or lines on the ground, markers above player or enemy heads, or any other visual cue that signals an impending action. In more challenging content like Ultimates, some mechanics may not telegraph, necessitating players to rely on other cues such as cast bars.
PB-AoE	"Point-Blank Area-of-Effect" typically denotes an enemy ability that generates a significant AoE damage area centered directly on the enemy itself.
Chariot	"Chariot" describes a large circular AoE effect that encompasses the boss's immediate vicinity.
Dynamo	"Dynamo" denotes a large donut-shaped AoE effect that surrounds the boss, with a safe zone in the center.
Defamation	"Defamation" refers to a large circular AoE centered on a specific player, requiring nearby allies to react accordingly.
Protean	"Protean" describes cone-shaped AoEs that target several or all players in a raid group, necessitating precise positioning and movement to avoid damage.
Exaflare	"Exaflare" represents a mechanic involving delayed, sequential attacks that move in a specified direction. Typically, only the first explosion is visibly marked, requiring players to anticipate subsequent movements.
Enums	"Enums" describe mechanics that require a specific number of players to participate in soaking the damage or effects. Similar to "Stack/Soak" mechanics, but with a predetermined player count involved.

For encounter specific mechanics refer to that encounters written guide.