Refining the MMO Lexicon: Point vs. Area DPS

[Rewedanz]

Over the years of playing these games, I’ve found myself mentoring/teaching new players on the myriad of facets of gaming. As a lifelong rogue I’ve repeatedly come up against the discussion point of why some classes parse better in certain situations over others.

Seeing how Burst vs. Sustained DPS is a well established discussion and thoroughly explored topic that is well known across the MMO community, I’d like to ask other players their thoughts on another topic that I find myself going over again and again; single target vs. group target DSP, what I call here Point vs. Area DPS.

As a rogue, I have to explain to FNG’s why necro’s/locks will not just out DPS them, but humiliate them on any dps meter/parsing. The concept is simple, anyone who can lay out DoT’s across multiple targets, then possible lay single/AoE DD’s out there is going to beat any class that can only attack a single target at a time. We all know this and are familiar with it, what we lack is a singular, common term to publish so that new players can research and learn, hence Point vs. Area DPS.

I chose these specific terms because I’m familiar with them, and I’m sure that many MMO’s are military understand the convention of the use of terms. When engaging targets, US Military terminology defines a point target as a single entity (be it a single dismount, or a single vehicle) which is engaged by aimed kinetic effects, and an area target with 2 or more point target that can be engaged by both area and point effect weapons (using a single bullet on a single infantryman as opposed to firing a volley of mortars at a dismounted platoon).

It may be that I’m being nit picky, but I’d like to gauge my opinion against other members of the MMO community before I start offering this across the boards. Feedback please.

[findar]

FNG?

[Rewedanz]

Fucking New Guy

[chu]

What the fuck is the point of this thread? Keep shit like this on your fucking blog.

[Draegan]

So what?

[Lyrical]

Originally Posted by chu

What the fuck is the point of this thread? Keep shit like this on your fucking blog.

I am not sure there is a point to this thread. IBTR.

P.S.: Any thread title like this is auto-shaw worthy if it doesn't over-deliver a logical argument.

[Keronos]

I’d like to gauge my opinion against other members of the MMO community

What opinion ?

[kuldiin]

But who has the max serverwide burst DPS?

[Drajakur]

Burst point DPS or burst area DPS? Get with the times FNG.

[Thrym]

He wants to see how his burst compares against our burst, whether he's got the same radius, same droplet effect...

[tikkus]

Tell your FNG's that when they can stay rock hard for 3 hours, thats when they'll out dps locks.

Oh, and if you wanted a serious discussion on the matter: Elitist Jerks

[Draegan]

What game is he talking about?

[Hatorade]

You want opinions? Here is some:
-You need to learn to post in the forums, this is not your blog.
-You May want to say what game you are talking about because I can't think of a mmo that has necros and warlocks. Just a thought I mean how else can we give you opinions.
-YOU CANNOT REFINE ANYTHING THAT ISN'T FINISHED!..no mmo is ever finished(until it is dead, but then whats the point) there is nothing to refine when they are constantly evolving.
-You should only focus on dieing in a fire
-This thread should go to the rickshaw
-I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8,and I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later' I looked at my kingdom I was finally there to sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air

[Lusiphur]

Originally Posted by Hatorade

You want opinions? Here is some:
-You May want to say what game you are talking about because I can't think of a mmo that has necros and warlocks. Just a thought I mean how else can we give you opinions.

Umm .. EQ 2 ?

Anyh00 .. this thread is indeed paging Dr Shaw ..

[Hardcore Cracka]

I'm pretty certain this is already well known and well established by people that play MMOs. Good job being the Chuck Klosterman of the MMO world.