Sustained DPS is the DPS over a longer period, compared to burst DPS over a shorter period. It is the accumulative DPS without many interruptions, sometimes.

For example;

"This DRG had crazy DPS! But the MNK would probably sustain more if we lasted longer that run."


MNK is a fine example of sustained. We don't do burst DPS, we don't rely on many cooldowns even if we TRIED to burst more. Both DRG and NIN can bust more than MNK easily, and I often find this to be true in my own experience.


Most DPS; DRG, NIN, MCH, BRD, BLM, + WAR(even though it's a tank.)

The only real sustained DPS classes have are SMN and MNK and SMN is iffy cause yes they can burst and the only reason I count them is because they use DoT's