What is dps

Last updated: April 1, 2026

Quick Answer: DPS stands for Damage Per Second and is a metric used in video games to measure how much damage a character or weapon inflicts on opponents per second. It's a key performance indicator for evaluating combat effectiveness.

Key Facts

Understanding DPS

DPS, or Damage Per Second, is a fundamental metric in gaming that measures how much damage a character or weapon can inflict on an enemy during one second of continuous combat. This metric is crucial for understanding game balance, character effectiveness, and combat strategy.

How DPS Works

DPS is calculated by multiplying the base damage of a weapon or ability by the attack speed (how many times per second it can be used). For example, a sword that deals 100 damage and can attack twice per second would have a DPS of 200. Different games calculate DPS differently, with some including critical hits, elemental damage, and special abilities in the calculation.

DPS in Game Design

Game designers use DPS as a fundamental balancing tool. Classes and weapons are typically balanced around DPS values to ensure no single option dominates gameplay. A character with very high DPS might have low health or defense as a trade-off, creating the glass cannon archetype that requires skill to play effectively.

Role in Team Play

In multiplayer games and raids, DPS specialists are separated into different roles. Tank characters prioritize defense and damage absorption, support characters provide healing and buffs, while DPS characters focus purely on dealing damage. The balance between these three roles is essential for successful group play and raid completion.

DPS Metrics in Modern Gaming

Modern games display detailed DPS statistics to players, helping them optimize builds and strategies. Players often parse logs to calculate actual DPS in combat to compare builds, find bottlenecks, and improve their performance. This has created a competitive sub-culture around maximizing DPS while maintaining other required statistics.

Related Questions

What is the difference between DPS and burst damage?

DPS measures sustained damage over time, while burst damage refers to a large amount of damage dealt in a single attack or ability. Burst damage is useful for quickly eliminating enemies, while DPS is important for sustained combat effectiveness.

What does glass cannon mean in gaming?

A glass cannon is a character or build that deals very high DPS but has low health and defensive abilities. These characters are powerful but vulnerable and require careful positioning and skill to use effectively in combat.

How do critical hits affect DPS calculations?

Critical hits multiply the base damage of an attack. If a weapon has a 10% critical chance and 2x multiplier, the expected DPS increases by approximately 10% because critical hits are factored into average damage calculations.

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia - World of Warcraft CC-BY-SA-4.0