Kill Steal: What does it mean to steal a kill?


In video games, a kill steal happens when someone lands the final hit on an enemy that a teammate had already nearly defeated — basically “stealing” the kill. This is super common in multiplayer games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, and Valorant, where getting kills is a big part of the action. Kill stealing can be frustrating because the person who put in most of the work doesn’t get the credit, while someone else walks away with the reward.
Kill stealing often stirs up tension between teammates, especially in games that track individual stats or offer rewards based on eliminations. That said, not every kill steal is done on purpose — sometimes things just get chaotic and teammates accidentally secure the final blow without meaning to.
How Can You Tell If It’s Kill Stealing or Just Helping?
There are two big things to think about: intent and context. If someone finishes off an enemy purely to grab the kill — knowing full well the original attacker had it under control — that’s a textbook kill steal. But if a teammate steps in to help and makes their intentions clear, it’s usually seen as lending a hand.
Timing and the overall situation matter too. If someone jumps in at the very end just to snag the kill without doing anything during the fight, they’re probably more focused on padding their stats. On the other hand, if a teammate’s been involved throughout the fight — dealing damage, peeling enemies, or protecting you — then them getting the last hit is just part of solid team play.
What’s Next?
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