What Is a DPS in Aion?

Damage Output and DPS

• Comparing DPS scores can more accurately determine a character's damage output compared to factors such as stated attack or spell attack power. DPS measures a character's damage output as it occurs in real-time, as opposed to an attack or spell attack ratings, which only estimate an average score for a single effective attack. Because large amounts of damage can occur over the span of a scant few seconds, a DPS rating is more reflective of the actual damage being done and can be used to more accurately estimate damage output over a period of time.

Types of DPS

• In Aion, DPS occurs in two primary varieties. Burst damage refers to damage dealt to an enemy or group over a short period of time, and typically hits very hard. Burst damage is used in situations where a low-health enemy must be dispatched quickly, but long cooldowns make burst damage impractical in other situations. Sustained DPS is a form of constant, ongoing damage that occurs over a long period of time. Sustained damage can be high as well, but typically not as high as burst damage. Sustained DPS works well against targets with large amounts of health that take longer to whittle down, as the spell will rack up large amounts of damage over the lengthy period it can run.

DPS and Party Role

• In a party, each player's ideal DPS varies based on her role, which falls into three categories: tank, healer and damage-dealer. Tanks must combine attention-grabbing moves and significant DPS to draw enemy hostility, while healers must minimize their DPS output to keep focus on healing the tank and deflecting attention. Damage-dealers typically are only required to deal as much damage as possible and mow down enemies, although in some situations, damage-dealing characters must carefully throttle their DPS to keep the enemy attention focused on the tank.

Alternative Uses

• DPS refers to more than only damage per second. The term is also used as shorthand to refer to any character who is built for damage-dealing and would fit this role. DPS can also refer simply to damage, especially when giving instructions. For example, a party leader with minimal time to type will likely direct everyone to damage a boss character by saying "DPS boss" instead of "damage players attack the boss."