Discuss: Are DPS meters bad for MMOs?

[KIka93]

I think it's bad because people will start to care more about numbers than the competence of people they take, just like in FFXI where if you're not high in the parse, you're not even considered.

[Xatsh]

I think it's bad because people will start to care more about numbers than the competence of people they take, just like in FFXI where if you're not high in the parse, you're not even considered.

Like XI... No one cared at all about parsers in XI.

Almost all the fights consisted of people not fighting waiting for tp to skill chain/MB in order to prevent high dmg special attacks from firing.

In all my years in endgame in XI from Zilart to Abysea not 1 person ever used a parser that I know. The game was not based around big dmg it was about hate control and avoiding aoes/death moves.

[Ellatrix]

Like XI... No one cared at all about parsers in XI.

Almost all the fights consisted of people not fighting waiting for tp to skill chain/MB in order to prevent high dmg special attacks from firing.

In all my years in endgame in XI from Zilart to Abysea not 1 person ever used a parser that I know. The game was not based around big dmg it was about hate control and avoiding aoes/death moves.

Which alternate reality were you playing FFXI in? Every endgame guild worth a damn had everyone running parsers. Also when the entire strategy is "stunlock and zerg", damage is the only thing that matters.

[Nephera]

it's like a wrench, a helpful tool until you start beating someone over the head with it.

[Mykll]

Unless the definition of stopping dps has changed somehow, switching to adds has absolutely nothing to do with stopping dps, not to mention your analysis of atomos(the tank and whichever 2 dps are on the pad are always enough to kill all the adds that spawn) and glasys(the first set of adds do not need to be killed, just the ots and 2 healers entering the fields of the ones with the lasers is enough) are wrong. What you are actually describing is ignoring mechanics, which people actually trying to maximize dps don't do, as you can't dps while dead.

Always enough? Hardly. Get 2 ilvl 50-70 (Or heck even higher, most of their damage IS OVER TIME) SMN as your DPS, and per your suggestion ONLY those 2 and a single tank is taking down adds on Atomos and you will get overwhelm easy and wipe. Heck I've seen it with ANY two DPS, even with supposedly one of the healers helping out DPS. Countless times if I am on Atomos I am coming off to help with adds if it looks too close that the third add will spawn.

On Glasys there are a lot more than just 4 fields popping up. I've never sat around and never killed them either, which means more DPS getting off boss. And if melee, that is a second or two of not doing DPS while they are running to the laser circle to DPS it. And if they get there first, then that DPS has completely stopped their DPS. Which sucks more for MNK, they have to spend a few rotations to get back up to speed.

Switching to adds CAN have something to do with "stopping" DPS. By either getting over to the add, may take a second or two, or waiting for that add to be properly placed before burning down, or those people that have to chase a moving target but for whatever reason the game/internet won't let them. Completely stop? No. But can slow them down. Give someone a "score number" at the end of each fight and people will start to ignore mechanics, sure, like maybe they already are today. Thinking, "Someone else will get it, I'll continue my DPS with zero downtime here."

[Sunako]

It would be enough if you could see only your own dps and not everybody else. I think it is fine if players want improve themselves.

[Korilynn]

Not when you can only use them on yourself. When you can use them on others, it tends to make terrible attitude people even worse.

[Ellatrix]

When you can use them on others, it tends to make terrible attitude people even worse.

Or, it can impress people.

[Dhex]

Like XI... No one cared at all about parsers in XI.

Almost all the fights consisted of people not fighting waiting for tp to skill chain/MB in order to prevent high dmg special attacks from firing.

In all my years in endgame in XI from Zilart to Abysea not 1 person ever used a parser that I know. The game was not based around big dmg it was about hate control and avoiding aoes/death moves.

Which alternate reality were you playing FFXI in? Every endgame guild worth a damn had everyone running parsers. Also when the entire strategy is "stunlock and zerg", damage is the only thing that matters.

This is hella ironic because both of you lead successful endgame linkshells on the same server in FFXI.

[LalaRu]

Parser is a tool, cannot be 'good' or 'bad'. You have to refer to the player who uses it.