Maximizing Damage Done 1

12Feb08

The difference in a great guild and a mediocre guild often times comes down to the quality of its DPSers. Any guild that wants to have any progression at all will need at least a decent tank and decent healers. However, most mediocre guilds get by with bad to horrible DPSers just by giving them better gear. This is the reason that top quality guilds tackle and conquer new content before good ones do. The difference (for newly released content) is not in the gear, but in the ability for EVERYONE in the raid to maximize their potential. This article will focus on how DPS should be playing to maximize their PEW PEW! potential.

Pretty much every DPSer understands that better gear means more DPS. They also usually understand which ability/spell rotation needs to be used to maximize DPS. What many people don’t understand is that DPS relies on the TIME element to become Damage Done.

Example: Assume a 10 minute fight / Lost time is attributed to dodging boss abilities and regenerating mana

  • Mage A
    • Average DPS: 1300
    • Time spent DPSing: 6:00
    • Damage Done: 468,000
  • Mage B
    • Average DPS: 1800
    • Time spent DPSing: 2:00 (Stood in a fire and DIED)
    • Damage Done: 216,000
  • Mage C
    • Average DPS: 1100
    • Time spent DPSing: 7:30
    • Damage Done: 495,000

Let’s take a minute to analyze this data.

  • Mage B obviously has pretty good gear to be able to maintain 1800 DPS for 2:00. Too bad he puts it all to waste by not noticing the huge fire underneath him and DYING LIKE A SCRUB.
  • Mage A manages to stay alive the entire time, but is inefficient with his time and loses about 1:30 compared to Mage C.
  • Mage C manages to stay alive the entire time, is more efficient with his time, and does the most damage even with his low DPS.

Where does that huge time difference come from? Noone is going to be bad at hitting 1 button over and over. The time difference comes from efficient movement and efficient management of threat.


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One Response to “Maximizing Damage Done 1”  

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  1. 1 Jezrael on February 15, 2008 said:

    Great article! I also really enjoyed the article on the 5 things you can do to break your tank. So very true and something I have experienced on my feral druid alt.

    I also have to say I LOVE your blog template. Looks fantastic!!

    Mad props on a gorgeous layout with quality content. I look forward to reading more :)

    (oh and thanks for the blog roll spot too! I feel honoured)


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