DPS, or Damage Per Second, is one of the most important aspects of any gaming build.
It determines how much damage your character can output in a given amount of time, and is essential for taking down enemies quickly.
In this article, we’ll break down what DPS is and give you some tips on how to improve your own damage output. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Does DPS Mean in Gaming?
DPS, or damage per second, is a metric used to measure the effectiveness of a particular weapon or character class in a video game.
Typically, this gaming term is used for characters in multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, where victory usually depends on being able to deal out the most damage to your opponents.
To calculate DPS, you simply divide the amount of damage that a character or weapon typically dishes out over the span of one second by their overall health points.
This gives you a clear idea of how quickly and efficiently they are able to take down enemies.
Whether you’re playing as an assassin or using a high-powered assault rifle, knowing what DPS means will help you become a more effective player and win more matches.
So be sure to keep an eye on your damage output next time you’re playing your favorite MOBA!
What is a DPS Character?
A DPS character, or damage-per-second character, is a type of video game character that focuses on dealing large amounts of damage to enemies.
Typically, these characters have high attack speeds and powerful offensive abilities. They often work in tandem with other types of characters, such as tank characters and healers, to form well-balanced teams.
When playing as a DPS character, it is important to master the intricacies of your specific class and learn the best strategies for taking down enemy targets quickly.
To be successful at DPS, you must also be able to react quickly under pressure and stay focused even when facing overwhelming odds.
Whether you’re battling solo or as part of a team in an online FPS game, developing your skills as a DPS character can be both challenging and rewarding.
What is DPS in an FPS (First-Person Shooter Game)?
In a first-person shooter, or FPS, a DPS is an important aspect of gameplay. This term refers to the damage that a character can deal per second, and it determines how quickly the player can defeat an enemy.
Generally, DPS is often thrown around in non-FPS games because most FPS games have pre-made guns that the user will pick that has its own damage percentage.
So with that being said, one could argue that a certain gun as a specific DPS but most gamers don’t speak about weapons like that. They’ll just say “oh that gun is really good,” or “that gun is OP (over-powered).”
What is a DPS Build in a Game?
A DPS build, or damage-per-second build, is a type of set-up in a game that focuses on increasing the player’s damage output over time.
This often involves using specialized skills or tools to maximize the amount of damage that can be dealt in a short period of time.
Typically, this involves making use of high DPS weapons and/or focusing on maximizing stats that boost damage such as critical hit chance or accuracy.
Because DPS builds tend to focus on speed and efficiency, they are often most suited for fast-paced multiplayer games where players need to quickly dispatch their opponents without letting them recover from their assault.
Whether you’re playing Borderlands in the middle of an intense firefight or charging through enemies in Diablo with your blazing sword, a DPS setup can help you triumph over your foes.
Here’s an example video from ZenRyoku showing you his high DPS build in Diablo 3:
Specific DPS Builds
When talking about DPS, you can go even further and explore sub-builds of the DPS build.
In many video games, players are able to choose from a variety of different “builds” or character-types.
For example, in role-playing games, a player might choose to build their character as a tank, meaning they focus on stats that make them resistant to damage and able to soak up hits for their team.
Or, a player might choose to build their character as a mage, someone whose main damage output comes from spells and abilities.
In some games, there are also builds that focus on healing or supporting other players.
Usually, when choosing a build, players have to decide between DPS (damage per second) or one of these other roles. However, there are a few builds that don’t fit neatly into either category.
Here are three examples:
1. “Glass Cannon” DPS Build
This type of build focuses on high DPS at the expense of durability. These characters deal massive amounts of damage, but they go down quickly if they’re not careful.
2. “Solo” DPS Build
These builds are designed for players who want to be self-sufficient and don’t necessarily need or want to rely on other players.
They tend to have high DPS and good survivability, but they may sacrifice some of their damage output for these benefits.
3. “Control” DPS Build
Control builds are designed to deal damage while also being able to crowd control or otherwise control the battlefield.
These builds typically have high DPS and some form of CC (crowd control), but they may sacrifice some of their damage in order to have these abilities.
What Are Other Builds Excluding DPS in Games?
In most games, the Player Character (PC) is built to deal damage to enemies, aka “DPS”. However, there are other important builds that often get overlooked.
For example, in many MMOs, the “tank” is a vital role that helps to protect their allies from incoming enemy attacks.
Likewise, the “healer” is responsible for keeping their allies alive and restoring their health. These two roles are essential for helping a team survive and succeed in battle.
In addition, there are many support-based builds that can buff allies and debuff enemies, making them incredibly powerful in the right hands.
Although they may not deal as much damage as a DPS build, these other builds are essential for creating a well-rounded and successful team.
FAQ
What Does DPS Stand For?
DPS stands for “Damage Per Second.”
What is a DPS Character?
A DPS character is a type of character that focuses on dealing large amounts of damage to enemies.
Final Remarks
In conclusion, DPS, or damage-per-second, is a popular build in many games that focuses on increasing the player’s damage output over time.
Whether you’re playing a MOBA or RPG, a DPS setup can help you triumph over your foes and come out on top.
However, there are many other builds and roles that are essential for a well-rounded and successful team.
So, next time you’re choosing a build for your character, be sure to consider all of your options before settling on DPS.
Now go out there and deal some damage!
Nate has been playing games for 20+years now. He is mostly a casual gamer and enjoys most FPS games, Battle Royales, and MOBAs. Outside of gaming, he also enjoys learning about streetwear, photography, and music.