Have you ever been playing an online multiplayer game and seen teammates using the terms “ADS” and “Adds”? Did you wonder to yourself what’s the difference between them*? I certainly have. Gaming slang contains so many acronyms and abbreviated terms that it can get confusing. 

In this article, we’ll break down the precise meaning of “ADS” versus “Adds” in the context of video games. Understanding the distinction between these two similar-sounding gaming terms can improve team communication and collaboration. Let’s dive in!

Defining ADS in Gaming

First, what exactly does “ADS” mean?

ADS stands for “aim down sights.” It refers to the action of looking through a weapon’s sights or scope in first-person shooter (FPS) games.

When a player is aiming down sights, they are lining up more precise shots by gazing down the firearm’s barrel and sights.  

This restricts mobility and field of view but substantially improves firing accuracy.

Why Use ADS?

ADS becomes crucial in popular shooter franchises like:

Call of Duty

Battlefield  

Counterstrike

Rainbow Six

Fortnite (with certain weapons)

It is a core gameplay mechanic for most weapons besides shotguns or hip-fired submachine guns. Skilled players can even perform quick flick shots by rapidly aiming down sights before firing.

So in essence, ADS refers specifically to the shooter game mechanic of peering through your equipped gun’s sights momentarily. This sets up a more accurate shot at the cost of mobility.

ADS aims to improve shooting precision in games like Call of Duty

Explaining Adds in Gaming

Now that we understand ADS, what do “Adds” indicate in gaming language?

The term “Adds” stands for “additional enemies.” It signifies that further monsters or opponents are joining an ongoing battle.

These extra adds start flowing toward the players mid-fight in genres like: 

MMORPGs

Action-RPGs 

Tower defense games

MOBAs

RTS games

Survival games 

Newly spawned adds serve several gameplay purposes:

Raises the stakes

Prevents stagnant stand-off

Varies encounter dynamics

Tests player adaptability and skill

For example:

An MMORPG dungeon boss may summon additional cronies when reduced to low health

Zombies may pour in from all directions during a Fortnite Storm Shield Defense

An Elden Ring ambush can grow more chaotic with adds spawned by a necromancer

League of Legends dragon/baron fights draw enemy champions

So in gaming,adds refers to intensifying an encounter with further enemies joining the fray.

Swarms of adds make Diablo 3 fights more hectic

Why Differentiate ADS and Adds?

At this point, you may still wonder:

What’s the big difference? Why does confusing ADS and Adds matter?

Distinguishing gaming terms allows for precise communication and better teamwork. Without common vocabulary, multiplayer gaming becomes frustrating!

Let’s recap the key differences:

ADS refers to a shooter game mechanic = aiming down sights 

Adds refers to more enemies spawning during a fight

ADS is primarily used in first-person shooter games

Adds appear typically in RPG, RTS, and MOBA games 

ADS grants improved aim while restricting movement 

Adds dial up difficulty and dynamism

So while ADS and Adds may sound alike, they have distinct meanings across various gaming genres.

Examples in Sentences 

Observe their contrasting uses in sentences:

ADS:

>”I used __ADS__ to line up the perfect headshot across Overpass.”*

Adds:  

>”The Araxxor fight got intense when dozens of spider __adds__ spawned at 20K HP.”*

As you can see, confusing these two terms could lead to silly miscommunications between squad members!

But knowing the precise gaming definition of ADS compared to Adds allows for accurate discussions. You’ll have the gaming literacy for proper coordination.

Why Game Literacy Matters

Hopefully this overview has helped distinguish the difference between ADS and Adds once and for all! 

But this is just one example of gaming terms that sound similar but have nuanced distinctions. 

As online multiplayer games grow in prominence, gaming literacy becomes crucial. Being well-versed in common vocabulary ensures fluid team communications with less misunderstanding.

For instance, terms like DPS, DOTs, proc, CC, OS, meta all have specific connotations that guide strategy. Not knowing them strains coordination during intense battles. 

So next time you see ADS, Adds or any other gaming abbreviations mentioned while playing, you’ll know exactly what your teammates mean. Precision with language allows for better collaboration and execution.

Let me know in the comments any other confusing gaming terms you’d like explained! With so many gaming words floating around, having reliable references helps every player.

Understanding acronyms like ADS vs Adds is just one small part on the journey toward gaming literacy and improving your multiplayer skill!