DPS display could easily be solved with a system already in game.

[Kallera]

Ahh the delicate little flowers that are DPS classes.

Tanks don't pop cooldowns, or lose aggro, they get chewed out.
Healers letting people die, not pre-shielding, missing preys in t10, they get replaced.
DPS' class not doing DPS? OH WHO CARES STOP TELLING THEM TO IMPROVE YOU ELITIST!

I have never seen this new wave of criticism and persecution by tanks and healers that is being claimed on the forums.

If anything, they are pretty well protected in most of groups I've been in, seeing as DPS are the first to fill and we are usually waiting for tanks or healers. Its a crapshoot to wait for a replacement before the party begins to disband, not near as much with a DPS.

There are currently 6 DPS classes, 7 with heavensward. Add phases, the timing on pushing phases, reaction to moves(death is 0 DPS), and enrage mechanics are all ways to note if your fellow DPS needs a review.

My concern with parsers is that it would be incredibly easy to replace a DPS(since there are so many kinds) or just invalidate some in favor of an "optimal build" that would leave some classes as only situational.

Another would be that it would make the game far less approachable. Its one thing to say that you are looking to improve your numbers, but if the community starts using DPS numbers as a big public "keep out" sign, its going to get noticed by people you don't intend to scare away.(and no, im not looking to protect the classes, I'm questioning whether this is going to hinder more than benefit, there are far more DPS classes than other classes, and it may result in a "flavor of the month" situation where one or two is demanded above all others.)

[Jamein]

I have never seen this new wave of criticism and persecution by tanks and healers that is being claimed on the forums.

I see it most times I venture into places like WoD which thankfully I don't bother anymore, especially with tanks. They get chewed out for losing aggro or just bad positioning, meanwhile that same person screaming is pulling 200 DPS in full ilvl130 poetics. I just facepalm and carry on.

As for FOTM, DPS wise classes are EXTREMELY balanced. The only reason to take one of the other is the raid utility they provide. Monk has dragon kick, dragoon increases bard damage, ninja for goad and TA etc etc. There is no FOTM in terms of DPS.
Not to mention I would take a good player over a FOTM class anytime. The difference in the DPS they can output with BIS gear and a perfect rotation/player is minimal and not worth crying over.

Those who would kick someone in PF for doing 510 DPS for someone who can pull 520 are just stupid anyway if the fights going fine don't bother making changes.
Honestly the only argument I see against parsers is that people don't want to be called out for doing sub-par DPS, and if you are doing low content like the towers/dungeons then yeah you are right that shouldn't happen as it doesnt matter, you can get through it with auto attacks. However for end game content yes you should be judged on how well you play your class, and if you want to join that farm party you should make sure you are contributing so you make a choice, do I care enough about beefing up my DPS to do endgame, or do I want to just carry on as is.

Either choice is perfectly fine, the problem comes when people say screw that I will play my way and go into the end game, and they basically drag everyone down but heaven forbid we call them out for it.

To put it in a simple way, by not pulling your weight as a DPS, you are dragging the fight on longer, which means the healers and tanks have to work harder, and the other DPS have to work harder and deal with more mechanics, not just enrage timers. I'm not saying everyone has to pull 650+, not by anymeans, but if you are seriously under performing you need to know, and you need to improve for the end game content, as for the other content yeah, no point parsing in those and anyone who called somneone out in an expert roulette is just being an idiot.

[Veerne]

Another would be that it would make the game far less approachable. Its one thing to say that you are looking to improve your numbers, but if the community starts using DPS numbers as a big public "keep out" sign, its going to get noticed by people you don't intend to scare away.(and no, im not looking to protect the classes, I'm questioning whether this is going to hinder more than benefit, there are far more DPS classes than other classes, and it may result in a "flavor of the month" situation where one or two is demanded above all others.)

There is this little game called "World of Warcraft" which as we all know totally flopped because the damage meters made it so hard to approach...

[Kallera]

There is this little game called "World of Warcraft" which as we all know totally flopped because the damage meters made it so hard to approach...

It kept me from joining it.
Part of that reason was because of features like that which eventually crept up into a nightmare of customized ui, addons, and reputation as a community.

I don't want that, I didn't start playing this game to go through another game's experience.

[Asierid]

It kept me from joining it.
Part of that reason was because of features like that which eventually crept up into a nightmare of customized ui, addons, and reputation as a community.

I don't want that, I didn't start playing this game to go through another game's experience.

That's great. It kept a handful of people, out of the millions still playing it, away due to damage meters. If numbers scare you that much, I suggest you don't go further down the MMO tunnel.

It's not a hard concept. You numbers are low, make them higher. You're doing something wrong if they are completely different from someone of your gear/level. Why should I take someone that wants to do less work than someone else who clearly (As shown by the helpful parser information) does more and helps the group as a whole? Just like taking a guy to help you move, yet all he does is sit there and point out where everything goes instead of doing anything.

[Kallera]

That's great. It kept a handful of people, out of the millions still playing it, away due to damage meters. If numbers scare you that much, I suggest you don't go further down the MMO tunnel.

I'm sorry you think its not enough that I look for improvement and am willing to correct myself for content already. I am just not interested in berating people out of parties unless I am certain they have ignored given instructions. I do not want to see this game as a 2nd job, and do not appreciate features that encourage it.

Take it another way, if I enjoyed critiquing the hell out of people in my party and regularly vote abandon, and just acted on performance, would I be a better player? Not necessarily. I certainly wouldn't feel better about the behavior and would spend a considerably longer amount of time waiting for parties to fill, thanks to my DPS role.

[RiceisNice]

I'm sorry you think its not enough that I look for improvement and am willing to correct myself for content already. I am just not interested in berating people out of parties unless I am certain they have ignored given instructions. I do not want to see this game as a 2nd job, and do not appreciate features that encourage it.

Take it another way, if I enjoyed critiquing the hell out of people in my party and regularly vote abandon, and just acted on performance, would I be a better player? Not necessarily. I certainly wouldn't feel better about the behavior and would spend a considerably longer amount of time waiting for parties to fill, thanks to my DPS role.

It's not like you suddenly skip the "advice" part and go straight into "berating them" just because you see lower numbers (versus seeing their rotation or uptime)

[Kallera]

It's not like you suddenly skip the "advice" part and go straight into "berating them" just because you see lower numbers (versus seeing their rotation or uptime)

Why would i give advice though if I was acting like that? I'm not obligated to them, if its a df i probably won't see them again. they are the ones keeping us from success, they have all the same tools, they should know what it is already or not be here.

I would rather not act like that.

[Malevicton]

It's not like you suddenly skip the "advice" part and go straight into "berating them" just because you see lower numbers (versus seeing their rotation or uptime)

You haven't heard? The exact same instant you put effort into a game, it becomes your job. You're teleported immediately to your mother's basement, and are made to sign the "Ermagerd We're Da B3st" guild charter, which requires - among other things - that you actively try to reduce the number of new players by making them feel infinitely inferior to yourself (don't worry, they deserve it, you're that much better). You are required at all times to use your <Final Witness> title, but make sure to never actually play your role. You're always more helpful standing afk in the back. This allows you a good view from which to criticize everyone else (If they get sassy tell em to look at your gear, that'll shut em up).

At least that's what I've learned from the forums. Maybe in reality people are just human and prone to emotionally-influenced responses that could vary depending on context. Who knows

[Jamein]

snip

I think this is where we differ. I tank for my static, monk is my offspec and I have a lot of fun in PF groups for FCOB on it, more so than my tank. Mainly because I use the parser and try to beat my previous best DPS in those turns. I'll try to improve every single time, where can I get my rotation off better, whats causing me to lose some DPS? Can I perfect this more? Where can I get that extra hit in? That for me is actually pretty fun. It's like a mini-game. The parser is just a tool to be used, if someone is going to be a jerk about it they would've been a jerk about anything. We shouldn't disregard an important and informative tool just because a few idiots who probably have no clue how to use it properly start spouting nonsense.