optimal dps?

[nomadman]

probably a dumb question but what does optimal dps signify? is that what i should be targeting for each created spell?

thx =)

[Greybishop]

From my days playing MMOs as a raider, optimal dps was the top dps one could do if one person was playing their character to their max potential.

When you adjust the numbers of the skills, higher or lower, effects the optimal dps (buffing or nerfing). So someone who wants to kill very, very quickly will likely go for a high optimal dps class while others may not, for various reasons. A cleric for example, generally has low optimal dps, but can heal and buff in return. A warrior (if you want them to be "tanky") might have middling optimal dps, with some skills that give a defensive boost.

The main idea is that the lower level the skill, the lower the optimal dps it will have, as it will grow with the character over time. While new skills gained at later levels will have a higher initial optimal dps level, and may have a different level of growth, but will then grow with the character.

So not a dumb question at all : ). If I can help any more please let me know.

[The Gaming Gazimon]

i think this number is broken TBH, i just made a class with a final ability that does 250 base damage, with 60 second cooldown, and 5 second cast time right? so it tells me on the ability tab that this ability has 3.8DPS
however when i go look at the optimal DPS on the main page it's telling me that optimal DPS is 500, meaning they somehow can use this ability with a 60 second cooldown, twice per second, this ability that takes a minium of 5 seconds to cast even if you could eliminate cooldown.

edit: as far as what numbers you want to see, players tend to start complaining and asking for a nerf around 10dps, so it's good to target under that for a classes optimal DPS, i tend not to go above 4dps with each individual skill

[sudokek]

Optimal DPS is max hits excluding crits and timing the skills to be used as effectively and quickly as possible. Low dps means low dmg. It's an average based off the cooldown timer, activation timer, cost to cast, total rage/mana and then of course the actual damage itself.

tldr
Damage per second = dps
Optimal dps = best possible damage from that class