Rat
slangDefinition
A stealthy, passive playstyle in battle royale games where a player hides and avoids fights to survive longer and gain ranked points.
What Does "Rat" Mean?
In 2026 gaming slang, “rat” or “ratting” describes a stealthy, passive playstyle in battle royale games where a player hides and avoids fights, often waiting until the end of a match to strike or simply surviving for ranked placement points.
The gaming-specific usage emerged in the battle royale community around 2023, when Apex Legends competitive players began using it to describe hiding in corners, avoiding all engagements, and relying purely on placement points to climb ranked. By 2024, the term had become so prevalent that it attracted developer attention — Respawn Entertainment declared war on ratting in Apex Legends Season 18, calling it a “rising trend” that was making the game less enjoyable.
In December 2024, an Apex developer admitted: “Hiding in positions and just refusing to engage to win is not good and healthy for the game.” Ranked changes were implemented to reward aggressive play and penalize passive survival.
Usage Examples
| Example | Tone |
|---|---|
| "Last ring, three teams left. I see one ratting in the corner behind the rock." | Strategic |
| "They rat every game. Zero kills, top 3 placement every time." | Critical |
| "Don't engage yet — let them fight each other first. The rat's not a threat." | Analytical |
Origin & Spread
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Appearance | Apex Legends competitive community, around 2023 |
| Origin | Grassroots BR term comparing hiding players to rats in corners |
| Primary Users | Battle royale players across all skill levels |
| Peak Period | 2024-present; formal recognition in SpawnPoint Gaming Glossary 2026 |
Cultural Context
The rise of 'rat' reveals deep tensions in competitive gaming about what constitutes legitimate play. Battle royale ranking systems reward survival time, but game design expects combat. Players who optimize for the system rather than the spirit of the game expose a design flaw while triggering moral panic in the community.
Similar Slang
- "Camping" — Holding one defensive position — a rat avoids engagement entirely, which is different
- "Passive Play" — Generic term without the moral condemnation of 'rat'
- "Third-partying" — Attacking teams already in combat — different from avoiding fights entirely
FAQ
Q: Is ratting the same as camping?
While both involve avoiding fights, 'camping' is about holding one position, while 'ratting' specifically implies hiding to survive for placement points in BR ranked systems. A camper might still engage; a rat avoids entirely.
Q: Where would calling someone a 'rat' sound out of place?
Avoid using it in non-BR contexts — it doesn't translate well to MOBAs, tactical shooters, or fighting games. 'Camper' or 'passive' are more appropriate there.
Q: Is this a passing trend or here to stay?
It depends on whether BR developers redesign ranked systems to eliminate passive play incentives. If ratting remains viable, the term stays.
Sources
- SpawnPoint Gaming Glossary 2026https://spawnpoint.be/gaming-terms-slang-glossary/
- EA Help — Apex Legends Terms Guidehttps://help.ea.com/en/articles/apex-legends/terms-guide/
- Rock Paper Shotgun — Apex Legends Season 18https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/apex-legends-devs-say-players-are-hiding-from-each-other-too-much-as-season-18-promises-to-target-ratting
- Win.gg — Apex Legends Devs Talk Rattinghttps://win.gg/news/refusing-to-engage-is-not-good-apex-legends-devs-talk-ratting/