Add a Parser that only the player can see.

[Crescent_Dusk]

I've run into a couple here and there, they were diva tanks more often than not.

I was put in Aurum Vale with the first boss. We kept wiping. Reason was the healer wasn't applying regen and really didn't know how to play to well. Then the other monk most of the time wasn't putting out much dps because he had barely any uptime on demolish or touch of death. This made the fight drag out, which is a problem because if a fight drags out, it is felt by the healer and if your healer sucks, it means you're gonna die to the dot aura (assuming you clear at 2 stacks).

I know people think DPS doesn't matter in low level dungeons, and you certainly don't need to be putting out top parses or even using potions, but incompetent DPS hamper progress AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE GAME.

The problem is people go into roulettes on their overgeared toons and think that because they carry someone via gear, then a group without overgeared toons for the content will clear just as well. Try going into a Hardmode dungeon with all members of the party at ilv60-70, it's a much different experience as a PuG than a group with a bunch of ilv100+ toons.

[Waliel]

I read somewhere that 3.1 might be adding a basic damage "training hall" with dummies that will give DPS readouts.

I do remember reading that they might consider a personal parse for dummies at most and nothing else.

[Cynfael]

While I don't support using parse data to contribute to a toxic environment, many, many players are not particularly skilled at maximizing their DPS and could benefit from a tool that provides metrics so that they could choose to compare data with their peers and make improvements.

Requirements are so minimal for most content that it's a very rude awakening for players when they attempt end-game content. It's not immediately obvious that their playstyle is what needs fixing and to what degree. I'm pretty sure that most of those sub-400 melee DPS in T10 with 10% Echo think that they're doing okay because they don't know any differently.

[IceWing]

Parsers are one of the worst things to happen to MMOs

In FFXIV the fights are built on enrages, unless the party has enough dps, or damage then you will wipe no matter how well you are handling the other mechanics. If you don't want parsers to be a thing, then make SE change how fights work.

[pandabearcat]

I don't understand the backlash against parsers. Why is this even an argument?

1. SE has stated before they want addons to happen. A pity they aren't going to be in heavensward release, but they're happening.
2. All games have competition. All games have competitive people. All games have some measure of competence.
3. Not having a parser isn't going to make you somehow do better dps.
4. Those that want to be competitive now have an actual benchmark instead of shoddy 3rd person tools which may or may not be entirely accurate.
5. Again, you won't have to trust these third party tools and their validity, accuracy, or any shady things going on. Also no fear of being banned.
6. If you find a meter diva or are kicked because of low dps, then do something about it. Don't play with them again, or learn your class better, or get more gear.

Pretty much the only people that stand to lose are those that have to put up with jerks, and those that are being carried. Everyone can stand to be a better player. If you play more casually, then good for you, you don't have to install it.

[Fyce]

I've been thinking of a way to tell to DPS how well or bad they're doing.
There's actually very obvious ways to tell if a Tank or a Healer is underperforming, but that doesn't really apply with DPS outside of DPS checks.

The "personal DPS meter" isn't going to achieve anything. Not only it won't make people want to improve (ie. you can still get away with being bad, so what's the point?) but also the number itself doesn't mean anything outside of any context.

A "party-wide DPS meter" will probably lead to flaming and shaming more than a motivation to self improvement. If a DPS is the last one on the DPS meter, he won't suddenly think "hey, I'm bad! Let show them, I'll improve myself!" and raise his DPS like crazy.
Besides, that will add some pressure on low-skilled player who'll more likely try to focus on doing damage and thus, not properly deal with the mechanics of the fight (ie. get hit by AoE, die a lot more, etc.).

So, what's left? Well, remember this?

It's the "Stylish rank" system in Devil may cry. This system is based on the "style" you have during a fight. There's just an obscure number attached to it "Stylish points", bu you can easily scrap it and just keep the green bar.

This system has a big advantage: you never want your score to go down and want to increase it to see the nice SSS on your screen.

Of course, "style" can't be applied to FFXIV combat style since it has very different variables. But I can very well see an adapted system for DPS class which would take the damage they take and they deal in consideration.
You can even show this "score" at the end of a trial/dungeon to show how everyone was performing. Just like we already have with PvP content.

This kind of "hidden number" system allows new player to understand what's going on immediatly and have a goal to keep improving themselves.
I believe that raising the skill level of each individual like with this kind of things is the key before really speaking about DPS meters, which should be kept for progression content.

For progression content, an ingame DPS meter could be of use, but is not really a priority considering the tools we already have.

[pandabearcat]

Ugh, no.

Just give me a parser please. I want to see how I'm doing, and if I'm doing poorly, then I'll definitely want to improve.

Furthermore, more detailed combat logs and we'll be able to put up a logging site like warcraftlogs.com and you can compare yourself to peers and see how you stack up.

Shaming doesn't occur nearly as often as you guys seem to be afraid of. It certainly hasn't destroyed WoW.

[Mercutial]

My only real issue is with parsers during progression. And for the most part, I frown upon it's use during this time (not farming mind you). The reason being that some in my group will get loose with mechanics that are not 100 percent on auto-pilot yet in order to push deeps. In my opinion, mechanics > dps = ALWAYS.

Funny how when I ask the group parser to hold back on releasing numbers that the group usually performs better.

And yes... I know the enrage timer is its own kind of mechanic. But it's one you don't see if you're too busy making out with the floor.

[KikoriL]

My only real issue is with parsers during progression. And for the most part, I frown upon it's use during this time (not farming mind you). The reason being that some in my group will get loose with mechanics that are not 100 percent on auto-pilot yet in order to push deeps. In my opinion, mechanics > dps = ALWAYS.

Smart players will realize parsing dps when still progressing through new fights and learning its mechanics is unreliable.
Maybe one week later, when it's cleared and figured out on a guide, the same smart people will get an idea what damage each job should generally hit. This sets a rough benchmark for new players to work up towards.
Maybe one week after that, the same smart people may help their friends learn to hit those numbers after refining tactics and learning the best timings for some big cooldowns.

Mechanics > DPS. Agreed. Doesn't mean there's suddenly a big change in what damage people can, or are expected to, hit per fight.

[Dement]

For those arguing against parsers because it may lead to toxicity within the community, I have to disagree. By not advocating an in-game parser you are only hindering yourself.

You won't know if your DPS is bad but I can guarantee that 95% of endgame fights are parsed by someone within the group. If they aren't initially then as soon as the group wipes to DPS checks, someone will fire their parser up. At that point, you're still blind to the fact but if you're the one who isn't holding up, you'll be removed anyway. At least with an in-game parser you would be aware that you're low on DPS and need to step it up.

You shouldn't just expect or assume that you're getting parsed. If you are doing any endgame, you should know that you're getting parsed.