Ganking explained
The term is most common in MOBAs, where a jungler or roaming player attacks a lane, but the idea appears in other team games. A good gank considers information, path, opponent escape, friendly setup, objective timing and what is lost by leaving the original area. The threat of a gank can create pressure even when no elimination happens.
“The wave is safe and the opponent used their escape, so the next gank has a clear setup.”
Why the term matters
A failed gank can cost time, resources and map control. Judge whether the attempt created a useful advantage, not only whether it produced a kill.
Use it correctly
When you hear Ganking in a broadcast or team call, use the surrounding moment to understand it: who has information, which resources remain and what action comes next. The same word can sound slightly different across games, but a good call should still help a teammate decide.
Competitive language is most useful when it makes the next action clearer. Give the location, timing, or resource state needed to support the term. Avoid using shorthand as a substitute for a complete call when teammates need more information.