Noob



Noob or Newb is a term used amongst RuneScape players and much of the gaming communities in general. According to Jagex's Player Dictionary, both "noob" and "newb" refer to a new player. It is sometimes used by players in an inoffensive way to refer to a new player, especially one with a low combat level, though "newb" may be the preferred spelling in this case.

However, in practice it is more commonly used as a mild pejorative in RuneScape. It is probably one of the most commonly-used and recognised terms in the game. It is popular perhaps because players cannot be reported for using it in this way unless it is done to such a degree that it constitutes spamming, which would have to be sufficient "to render the chat window useless". This can result in temporary mutes or other punishments.

In May 2009, various news sources reported that "noob" was a candidate to be the one millionth word in the English language, which was expected on 10 June. At that time, unofficial definitions of the word included "a derogatory name for someone new to a particular task or community". However, "noob" ultimately entered the language officially as the 999,998th word, with the millionth being Web 2.0 on 10 June.

Variants
There are many variations to the generally accepted words "noob", "noobie", "newb", and "newbie". These include "nab", "narb", "neeb", "neeblet", "nablet", "newbabe", "newnoob", "nubface", "noobcake", "nooblet", "nub", "nubblet", "nubcake" "nubslice", or the uncommon "froob", "tweep", "choob", and numerous others. Any of these terms may also be written in leet, such as "n00b".

According to Jagex's Player Dictionary, "froob" is a term for someone who has never left Lumbridge, though players themselves hardly ever use it in this way. "Choob" usually means an inexperienced high level player.

Usage
"Noob" is used by many people simply as an insult regardless of the context, as it is an insult that is not a reportable offence. Even a player of a much lower level may still call another player "noob" for being annoying to them, or for doing something that an experienced player, in their opinion, should know better than to do.

The name "noob" can be effectively ignored because the other player, who may be inexperienced, may just be disgruntled, and is venting their frustration for multiple reasons. Some players who say the word "noob" sometimes log out of RuneScape straight after saying it, to avoid a comeback or any other type of reaction.

Some people argue that players who call others "noobs" are noobs themselves. As there is no clear definition of the term "noob", this may or may not be entirely true.

Whilst many players use "noob" to describe a new (usually low-level) player, this is not the only meaning. The word "noob" is also used to describe someone who begs or sabotages something (sometimes unintentionally), such as destroying barricades in Castle Wars. The reasons behind this are typically a lack of knowledge of the game or the rules of the game, meaning that level does not necessarily come into it, though some people do this on purpose simply to annoy members of the opposing team. It may also be used to describe someone who simply acts stupidly, regardless of his or her experience. It can also refer to a player who has been playing for a while but because of some blunder can not become skilled at the game.

A "newb" usually refers to a new player, and is also a shorter version for "newbie". It is sometimes used as an insult, and therefore loses its meaning for what it truly is. Some players even call themselves newbs (or noobs) because they need assistance.

Usage in player killing
"Noob" is somewhat commonly used to express frustration or annoyance against others whilst player killing, usually in Bounty Hunter, the Duel Arena, Fist of Guthix, Clan Wars, and practically any other player-versus-player (PVP) minigame. Some things the combatant can do which may incite the word "noob" include:


 * Having a high Defence level: "def nub"
 * Having a high Attack level: Attack noob
 * Having a high Strength level: Strength noob
 * Activating a protection Prayer: "prayer noob"
 * Eating food when they have more than half their maximum Hitpoints: "safer (noob)"
 * Eating any food at all, especially in Clan Wars: "food noob", "eater (noob)" or "foob"
 * Attacking a weakened player: "pjer (pile jumping noob)"
 * Teaming up on the player: Piler Noobs (group)
 * Tanking when piled/low on Hitpoints: Tanker noob
 * Refusal to fight or running from combat: scared noob or running/runner noob, respectively.
 * Simply just whining: Just plain old noob

Remember: Eating food, using prayers and having high skills are always allowed in PvP, even in safe fights.

Reactions
If a player is called a "noob" they can choose to do nothing in the first instance. If the name-calling continues, the targeted player can add the name-caller to their Ignore List. This simple step means that the targeted player will no longer see anything that the name-caller says, and is exactly what the Ignore List was designed for. As such, Jagex recommends this conservative approach.

Alternatively, a targeted player may deflect the insult by arbitrarily agreeing that they are a noob. The name-caller will often stop after this. At worst, the targeted player may feel the need to leave the area (especially by teleportation, to avoid being followed), or switch worlds.

If the player instead insults back (especially to an excessive degree) then they may themselves be reported for offensive language. It may be argued that the first name-caller has violated Rule 9 (Encouraging Others to Break Rules), but this does not absolve other players of responsibility for their own reactions.

References in the game


JaGex seems to have realised that noob is such a commonly used word, and they use it themselves sometimes. For example, in the God Wars Dungeon, the word "noob" is carved into the floor beneath a frozen body. "NOOB" is also an acronym for the New Order Occult Bookists.

Several times, a non-player character will use the word as a joke. Indeed, "noob" is such a common word that it is seen everywhere.