DPS Tool

[Docj]

Q34: Please implement a DPS tool and a feature that shows a monster’s HP %.

A34: An HP % display shouldn’t be too hard so we’ll look into it when I get back.

In regards to a DPS tool, we don’t have any plans to implement something you can use during battle. If we were to implement something like this, it would be a necessity for content and we feel it would cause conditions where lines are drawn by players saying a certain amount of DPS output is bad.

However, I understand the requests to be able to know how much DPS you are doing. While it is a bit off in the future, we are thinking to make it so you can understand how much DPS you are doing by having content for beginners where you have to reach a certain amount of DPS within two minutes to clear it.

I agree with the premise of this answer; DPS meters in battle could lead to discrimination or harassment.

Perhaps functions could be added to the existing striking dummies allowing players to check their own DPS output while not in battle. Maybe, instead, create a special dummy that can be placed on estates that has this type of functionality. This would help players improve themselves and try out new rotations/strategies. This adjustment seems like it would fit in naturally with dummies since they currently serve little purpose.

I would love to hear a dev's thoughts on this idea.

edit: (6/6/14)

Update:

1:07:03 Q: Please implement an official DPS tool and a feature that shows the HP % of enemies.

A: snipped........ I’m asked quite frequently whether we have plans to address an official feature that displays DPS measurements, but due to our current policy, we don't have any plans for this. The reason for this is that certain levels of DPS will be forced upon players. However, I understand the desire to know how much damage you are outputting, and while it will take some time, we’ve been discussing making it so striking dummies measure DPS as well as whether we can add a training activity for new players where you’ll have to deal a certain amount of damage within a certain time. This is how we've decided to address an official DPS meter.

Cool! Looking forward to see what they come up with!

[Mister-Wonderful]

OP is on the right track. Currently, unless you use something like a parser, the Striking dummies serve no purpose. You cannot tell whether a rotation is an improvement or a downgrade until you see the actual numbers, can we at least see something like a parser on dummies, if we can't have it in fight. I would love to see that on at least the FC house striking dummies, but it is something that should be considered for every striking dummy.

[zeroumus]

i am by no means and elite player, but people being called out for not performing as well as others on dps with their character is .... discrimination? You are not helping those players by hiding the fact that they under perform, and you dont help the game as whole by doing this.

[Cherie]

I'm good without ever having a tool of this kind but, I kind of would like to know if people are hitting mobs/healing etc.

Often I'll have groups where people are obviously not doing much. Like a dps puts the tank of follow for most of the dungeon etc....

While it might be clear that someone is just putting the tank on follow in a 4 person dungeon, it's a lot less obvious in something like CT.

I mean sure, you can carry people in CT, but sometimes it gets out of control.

Maybe they could add a Troll-o-meter that lets you know if people are contributing or not...lol

[Bigpurpleharness]

Or they could simply release the open API they've promised. I don't even remotely care if it means a parse app comes from it. If you have bad DPS/HPS/overhealing/damage taken and thin skin, it isn't my problem. Just as it isn't my problem if some guy wants to be an ass about his huge 1337 3p33n DPS. I really don't care about either camp, I just want it for my own analysis and for the MASSIVE amount of in game safe apps it'll cause, like marketboard trackers, and sound packages from old FF titles, etc.

[Docj]

i am by no means and elite player, but people being called out for not performing as well as others on dps with their character is .... discrimination? You are not helping those players by hiding the fact that they under perform, and you dont help the game as whole by doing this.

I think discrimination would pop up mostly in PF groups. I can imagine comments saying "must be able to do 'X dps' or we kick". Cutting people out of the fight before they can try in this manner is discriminating. Fact of the matter is, some players need to be carried by others to clear certain content.

I don't consider it harassing to constructively criticize players either. Harassment would come from those who have no tact; going way overboard with the "you suck" sentiment.

[Skull_Angel]

@OP quote:

The problem with that statement is that DPS checks are already in the game, and to meet them [going into an instance at base i-level] you do have know how to play your class well.



@OP:

As for a dps tool leading to harassment and discrimination, I would agree, but anything could lead to such action from another player. Basic DPS tools are pretty pointless outside of on-the-fly DPS metering for possible fight mechanics, so I don't see a necessity for them. However a dev. supported and in-depth parsing tool is what the theorycrafting community has been asking for and is much more then a simple DPS meter.

[Marxam]

Make the dps check for beginners a mandatory quest for your dps class/job. Get that Roegadyn in Lower La Noscea with the straw hat and subligar to train you. There was a quest where you faced him in a rock breaking contest and whoever can break theirs first wins. I think they could have expanded on this and set it so that you have to properly execute your rotations and cool downs in order to beat him as he will most likely win due to cheating (bombs and mines, etc). Make the quests appear at levels 15, 30, 50.

[Ikeda]

i am by no means and elite player, but people being called out for not performing as well as others on dps with their character is .... discrimination? You are not helping those players by hiding the fact that they under perform, and you dont help the game as whole by doing this.

SE's logic is pretty simple to explain. Where you see someone trying to teach someone and help them improve, SE sees discrimination, hurt feelings, and lost subs because the loudest parser enthusiasts are the stereotypical elitist pricks people complain about.

You could make the same argument about SE's decision to make the majority of the game's leveling content overly casual with a emphasis on soloing because it's detrimental to the community and doesn't force players to actually learn to play their class properly by the time they reach endgame.

Or their decision to add a cross server duty finder which breeds a community that doesn't have to fear for any consequences of their actions creating a self centered community that only cares about their loot and prevents people from actually forming good communities because half the time they get put together with people from another server they'll never see again.

In general most of SE's decisions for the game have been soul-less "by the book" decisions that can all be summed up as "WoW did it and is making lots of money. Maybe we'll make lots of money too if we copy them" ignoring the fact that every other mmo that's done just that has failed. If it's not that it's a decision made solely in a attempt to retain subscriptions rather than actually improve the game.

Then there's the players charging people for primal and coil runs and the people from those groups that sabotage normal primal/coil runs to try to make people desperate enough to buy those runs.

[Morzy]

There is no doubt a tool like this could be useful. The question is how many people will use it for it's purpose and how many will abuse it and use it to discriminate.