Buff

A buff is a status effect that can be applied on heroes to increase one or more of their stats or resistances. The presence of a buff is indicated by a double upward blue arrow under the affected target.

Applying buffs
A buff is applied through a skill in a battle, curio interactions and camping skills. Buffs applied through skills last for 3 turns. Duration is decreased by 1 at the start of Hero's turn. Buffs applied through camping skills last for the next 4 combats (counting the night ambush if there is one). Curio buffs last the longest, as they remain until the next camp.

Making use of buffs in combat
By themselves, buffs are rather not useful, as a character usually has to wait untill the next turn to make use of them, making them effectively skip a turn. Thats why most buffs in the game ether apply to a whole party, deal small amout of damage to finish an enemy off, cure other status effects or have a health or stress heal to go with them. It's an important strategic choice when to apply buffs and when to push for damage.