DPS (Damage Per Second) – Term Explanation in World of Warcraft

Definition & Purpose

  1. Damage Role: The term “DPS” describes both the act of damage‐dealing and the classes/specs dedicated to dealing damage—e.g., Mages, Rogues, Warlocks, or Arms Warriors.
  2. Measuring Damage: “DPS” can also be a metric showing how much damage a player (or group) outputs per second in combat.

How to “DPS” Effectively

  • Maintain Rotation: Each class/spec has an optimal sequence (or rotation) of abilities to maximize damage.
  • Manage Resources: This might be energy, mana, or cooldowns; optimizing usage increases sustained DPS.
  • Avoid Downtime: More time spent attacking means higher overall damage.

Common Usage

  • LFG DPS – A group looking for additional damage dealers.
  • Check your DPS Meter – Players often compare performance via addons like Details or Recount.

References

  • Basic DPS Guide – Overviews of each class’s damage rotation.
  • Wowhead Class Pages – Detailed breakdowns of talents, gear, and DPS builds.