And where did I ever mention 3rd party information? You realize you can get a generalized damage output for a single class down to relatively close accuracy using a dummy right? Go punch a level 80 dummy with an assortment of dps, then go punch it with a tank and do the math for time it takes to kill with your best rotation. You will find it takes tanks about twice as long. Yes party buffs and other tools come into play. A majority of them benefit the team, while some of the buffs (dragoon eyes) a tank will never see. All the third party information does is simplify things for lazy people, but the ability to calculate has ALWAYS been there for number crunchers.