In a team game, one player does most of the work. They get the kills, secure the objectives, and win the match. The rest of the team watches. That player carried. The term is a compliment. It means you were the reason for the win. It is also a burden. Carrying is stressful. You cannot make mistakes. Your teammates depend on you. If you fail, everyone loses.

The word comes from sports. A star player carries a team. In gaming, it applies to any role. A support can carry by keeping everyone alive. A tank can carry by absorbing damage. The scoreboard may not show it, but the team knows. "Thanks for the carry" is a common post-match message. It is polite. It is also an admission.

Related terms

• Hard carry: winning almost single-handedly.
• Carry potential: how well a character can carry.
• Dead weight: a teammate who contributes nothing.
• Backpack: a teammate so bad you feel like you are carrying them physically.

Carrying is not always fun. It can be exhausting. It can breed resentment. "I have to carry every game." That is a common complaint. The best players do it anyway. They do not complain. They just win. The carry is the one who makes the difference. The rest is noise.