Wipe means either the whole group dying in a raid or dungeon, or a server or character reset that erases progress in survival games.
Which meaning applies depends on the game, and the context usually makes it clear.
Sense 1: a party wipe in raids and dungeons
In MMOs and co-op games, a wipe happens when every member of the group dies, so the attempt fails and you have to restart the encounter. It is common in raids, where one player's mistake can take down the team.
- "We wiped on the second phase again."
- "Wipe call, someone missed the interrupt."
- "Wipe it and re-pull, we are not doing enough damage."
A wipe is normal during progression. Groups use each wipe to learn a mechanic, and a static often tracks how many attempts a boss takes. Staying calm helps, since repeated wipes can lead to tilt.
Sense 2: a server or progress wipe in survival games
In survival and open-world games, a wipe resets the world, and often the characters, items and bases, so that everyone starts again. Server owners schedule wipes to keep the game fresh for new players.
- Rust is well known for wipes. Facepunch's monthly update, released on the first Thursday of the month, forces a map wipe on every official and community server. Blueprint wipes happen only on some of those updates, and server owners can wipe more often on their own servers.
- Escape from Tarkov uses "wipe" for a reset of all character progress, which happened every few months during its beta. Dates are set by the developer, so rely on official announcements rather than predictions.
Many players enjoy the fresh start, as it levels the field and restarts the progression race. "Wipe day" is when a server goes back to zero and everyone rushes to build or gear up again.
Related slang
Players also say "we got wiped" in PvPvE games when a whole squad is killed by another squad.
Related terms
FAQ
What does it mean when a raid wipes?
It means the whole group died and the encounter must restart. Raid teams treat wipes as part of learning a boss.
What is a wipe in Rust?
A wipe resets the map, and bases and loot are lost. Rust forces a map wipe on every server with the monthly update on the first Thursday of the month, and blueprints are reset only on some updates. Many servers also wipe weekly or every two weeks, so check your server's description.
Do I lose everything in a server wipe?
You lose the progress covered by that wipe, such as bases and items. Account-level things, like purchases or cosmetics, normally stay, but the rules vary by game.
Is a wipe bad?
It depends on your goals. It frustrates players who invested a lot, but it gives new players an equal start.