DPS: Why is it so dang taboo?

[GaiTsutsugami]

I just wanna start out saying, I main bard and I'm not exactly new, so I get how it goes as a dps. (Cleared thor and Alex S 1/2... screw 3). I also know the answer before I ask this so consider i for rhetoric's sake.

Why is everyone so touchy about their dps when they're told to step it up? Almost every single other mainstream MMO has some form of in game metric for dps aside from 'can i clear xyz.' Healers and tanks don't get a free pass, why do dps? Most dps complain too when a tank or healer makes one slip up, but 2/4 dps can drag 8 people down and suddenly you're a 'toxic' player for pointing it out.

I really, really, really wish parsing was a native function and we didn't have to use 3rd party stuff. I love ACT but I honestly believe this community could use a good wake up.

Anyway to avoid complain thread: ITT discuss times dps stood out to you!

[GaiTsutsugami]

Cut myself off like a dingus. Anywho, I remember the one time a drg tanked almost the entirety of some level 50 dungeon because tank just... seemed to not know how.
Arguably did a damn good job lol.

[Kosmos992k]

You can edit your first post to include the extra material and delete he 2nd for a cleaner look if you like.

I think the answer may be that a lot of players come from a single player gaming universe, and so they are not really expecting, or wanting unsolicited opinions, especially annoyed and judgmental ones, demanding that they step up their DPS, and if not, calling them a 'bad' or simply crap at their job. So, when they are playing, and doing adequate DPS in non-end game they feel there is nothing wrong, mobs are dying, so everything is fine. Then they get into a group for end-game/raiding and suddenly other DPS are doing twice their DPS and demanding to know why they are not keeping up. It's a rude awakening for some.

[SnugglesD]

The problem stems from several sources. We currently live in the society of the participation trophy. Self esteem is considered more important than hard work so everyone gets a prize. People are coddled from a young age and any form of criticism, whether its constructive or not, is immediately evil. Our society's overblown focus on political correctness has demonized anything that could possibly be construed as slightly negative. Everything must sound like a my little pony commercial or you're a hateful bully that can't be tolerated.

Kosmos also had it right with the single player game mentality. Games have evolved into glorified button-mashers. Strategy and practice is a thing of the past. If it weren't for games like dark souls, people who like to be challenged would have no outlet.

All of these things compiled lead to one inevitable outcome: butthurt.

[LordLucavi]

The biggest issue I've seen is that it's never "Hey, you should try this buff with this rotation" or "If you stack this and this, it increases x by y", it's always "Zomg I m teh 1337 DPS dood an u suk! U needa hurt more thing narf POIT derp!"

People should take the time to learn their jobs inside and out, learning what to use and when, and when it's better to stack everything for a huge spike, and when it's better to cycle through for extended high damage.

[DPZ2]

Why is everyone so touchy about their dps when they're told to step it up?

Because most of the game doesn't require anyone to "step it up". And because many of the people who think it's their duty to tell someone to "step it up" are not, let's put this delicately, even vaguely diplomatic in their manner of the telling.

[Ilitsa]

I think it's more the "manner" in which it's said. Tanks and Healers both tend to treat DPS players like shit, saying things like "Don't like it, leave, you're replacable" and the like, not realizing that THEY, themselves are equally replacable.

Also, people tend to not just say "Hey think you could try to push a little harder" or things like that, in a polite manner, it's usually "omfg you stupid fking ___." along with the name calling of "autistic/retard, piece of shit", etc. Not one person I know takes "step up your dps" negatively, unless there's name calling, belittling, bullying weaved in with it. Want positive reactions? Be constructive rather than destructive. It goes a long ways.

Note: I know not ALL players take advice positively, but I feel those that react negatively to positive, constructive criticism are in the minority.

Everything must sound like a my little pony commercial or you're a hateful bully that can't be tolerated.

And exactly what is wrong with treating another human being like, you know, another human being? I never understand people's insistence on being jerks, it takes a lot more effort and energy to be a douche, imo

[birdy_reene]

I think it's more the "manner" in which it's said. Tanks and Healers both tend to treat DPS players like shit, saying things like "Don't like it, leave, you're replacable" and the like, not realizing that THEY, themselves are equally replacable.

This right here says it perfectly. Most players say it in a rude fashion and it makes me want to drag my feet even more. especially if its from a minor mis-click, or for example with dragoon, sometimes those latency spikes where on your screen you did use the skill, but then low n behold a stutterstep happens and the game says you messed up your rotation cause it didn't get the message. and now u got someone rippin you a new rear end for it, Which is annoying enough as it is, then to have a player jump down your throat for it. It fuels some pretty negative reactions. So I like how Ilitsa said it. Saying it in a more constructive manor and you wont get as rude a response.

[Daemius]

snip

Anyways, on topic, my experience is as long as you aren't outright hostile people tend to listen to and appreciate feedback. Getting them to actually follow up with it is another issue though. It takes practice to "git gud".

[SnugglesD]

Snipped for mobile length

First, that's not treating a person like a human being. That's treating them like a deranged individual that could end your life if they get the impression that you don't think the world revolves around them. Carefully guarding every word you say takes way more effort than just being honest. Not everyone can be president or a professional athlete and no one born outside of a royal family is a princess. Its OK to say that.

And to your other point, in all my experience in the year and a half ive played this game, the best I've seen someone take positive, constructive critisism from someone they didn't already know was "lol k." It doesn't matter how nicely try and give advice, you'll most likely be met with yhe most common thing I've seen: " stfu I know my fucking job."