Dampen

Dampen is a status effect that decreases the affected unit's offense with the element specified in parentheses following. The amount of offense reduced in this way is equal to the effect intensity, and the effect lasts for four rounds. This effect can (and often will) bring offense below 0, which results in a reduction in damage or healing output.

What it Represents
Dampen mostly represents tactics that undermine very specific enemy offenses. For example, a unique spell which dulled the blade of an enemy swordsman would be best represented through Dampen (Slashing).