save-scumming
/ˈseɪv ˌskʌmɪŋ/
CommonRepeatedly saving and reloading a game to get the best possible outcome from a risky situation.
Gamers are divided on whether it is cheating or just smart play. The word 'scumming' implies some people consider it shameful, but many use the term without guilt.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | been save-scumming this merchant for an hour. need that legendary sword. | Repeatedly reloading to get a rare item from a random loot pool. | reddit, 2023 |
| 02 | I know I'm save-scumming but I refuse to let my favorite character die. | Reloading to prevent a specific character from being lost. | reddit, 2022 |
| 03 | if your game allows manual saves it's not cheating. save-scum freely. | Using a feature the game provides is not considered cheating. | x, 2024 |
| 04 | the whole fun of ironman mode is that you can't save-scum. every decision is permanent. | Ironman mode removes the ability to reload, making all outcomes stick. | reddit, 2023 |
Use it when
- You save before a risky action and reload until it works out.
- You reload to avoid a bad RNG outcome in a dice-roll or loot system.
- Describing someone trying to game a probability-based system.
Do not use it when
- You just mean saving the game normally.
- You mean using an actual cheat code or exploit.Use “cheating” instead.
Variations and related forms
Save-scumming vs ironman mode
save-scumming
Save-scumming uses reloads to avoid bad outcomes.
VS
ironman-mode
Ironman mode removes the ability to reload, making every outcome permanent.
Origin and context
The term emerged from PC RPG and strategy game communities in the 1990s and 2000s. 'Scum' carries a negative connotation that reflects early community disapproval of the practice.
- First seen
- late-1990s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/save-scummingUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0