flex player

a person who does not have a fixed role in a team, and is versatile enough to switch roles at a moment's notice and still fulfil their new role with sufficient proficiency. they are also known as generalists, and can help balance a team to reduce their weaknesses or vulnerability, particularly if an enemy team is exploiting said weakness. contrast this with a 'normal' person, who will lock into and serve a static role throughout the team's existence. it is commonly used in sports, and gained popularity in the realm of eSports, where class-based games provide an explicit benefit for designating flex players to allow their team to adapt. two concepts of flex players arise: 1) in games where classes* are locked in at the start of the match, such as MOBAs (DOTA, League), flex players often choose classes that are known as 'flex picks' in their communities - classes that are inherently versatile enough to be able to switch roles on their own. 2) in games where classes* can be changed at the start of a new round or mid-match, such as FPSes (Rainbow Six: Siege & Valorant or Overwatch & Team Fortress 2, respectively), flex players can either choose 'flex picks' (explained above), or will change classes throughout the match as the needs of their team evolve. *see also (game-specific terms): heroes, champions, operators, agents, heroes (yes, again), mercenaries