If you are fascinated by esports, you may have come across the term ‘DPS’ being used by players, commentators, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it relate to different games and genres? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘DPS’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is ‘DPS’ in esports?
‘DPS’ is an acronym for ‘Damage Per Second’, which refers to the amount of damage that a player or a character can deal to an enemy or an objective in one second. ‘DPS’ is often used to assess the damage output or the effectiveness of a player or a character, as well as to compare or contrast different players or characters. ‘DPS’ is a crucial factor in esports, as it can determine the outcome of a fight, a game, or a match.
The term ‘DPS’ comes from the genre of Role-Playing Games (RPG), where it is used to describe a statistic or a attribute of a character or a weapon. In RPG games, such as World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy, or Diablo, ‘DPS’ is often used to measure the performance or the potential of a character or a weapon, as well as to optimize or customize them. ‘DPS’ can also vary depending on the type, level, or rarity of the character or the weapon.
How is ‘DPS’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘DPS’ originated from RPG games, it has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), First-Person Shooter (FPS), or Fighting games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘DPS’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘DPS’ is used in different esports genres:
In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, ‘DPS’ is used to describe a role or a function of a character or an ability. In MOBA games, ‘DPS’ is typically a feature of damage dealer or carry characters, who focus on dealing high amounts of damage to enemy heroes and objectives. ‘DPS’ is also a factor of balance and counterplay, as some characters or items may have ‘DPS’ increase, decrease, or mitigation. Some examples of ‘DPS’ characters or abilities in MOBA games are Vayne, Phantom Assassin, or Li-Ming.
In FPS games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, ‘DPS’ is used to describe a mechanic or an effect of a weapon or an ability. In FPS games, ‘DPS’ is usually a secondary or tertiary feature of a weapon or an ability, rather than a primary one. ‘DPS’ is often used to complement or enhance the damage or utility of a weapon or an ability, rather than to determine or limit its use. Some examples of ‘DPS’ weapons or abilities in FPS games are AK-47, Operator, or Pulse Bomb.
In Fighting games, such as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, ‘DPS’ is used to describe a state or a condition of a character or a move. In Fighting games, ‘DPS’ is usually a result or a consequence of a successful or a failed action, rather than a deliberate or a strategic one. ‘DPS’ is often used to create or break combos, or to punish or reward mistakes. Some examples of ‘DPS’ moves or states in Fighting games are Critical Art, Rage Drive, or Fatal Blow.
What are some examples of ‘DPS’ players or strategies in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘DPS’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘DPS’ players or strategies in esports:
In League of Legends, one of the most skilled ‘DPS’ players is Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao, who is regarded as one of the best players of all time. Uzi is known for his incredible mechanical skill, positioning, and consistency. He can play any damage dealer or carry champion, but he is most renowned for his marksman ‘DPS’ performances, where he often deals the most damage in the game and carries his team to victory. Some of his signature ‘DPS’ champions are Ezreal, Kai’Sa, and Vayne.
In CS:GO, one of the most clever ‘DPS’ strategies is the Astralis utility, which was popularized by the Danish team Astralis, who is considered as one of the best teams in the world. The Astralis utility is a tactic that involves using grenades, such as flashbangs, molotovs, or smoke grenades, to deal damage or disrupt the enemy, as well as to create openings or advantages for the team. The Astralis utility is a ‘DPS’ strategy that maximizes the damage or utility of the weapons or abilities, as well as the coordination and communication of the team.
In Street Fighter, one of the most dominant ‘DPS’ players is Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi, who is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Tokido is known for his impeccable execution, mix-ups, and mind games. He can play any character, but he is most famous for his Akuma ‘DPS’ performances, where he often unleashes powerful moves or combos that deal high amounts of damage and knock out his opponents. Some of his notable ‘DPS’ moves or combos are Raging Demon, V-Trigger, or Critical Art.
To Sum Up
The term ‘DPS’ is a common esports term that refers to the amount of damage that a player or a character can deal to an enemy or an objective in one second. The term ‘DPS’ originated from RPG games, where it is used to describe a statistic or a attribute of a character or a weapon. However, the term ‘DPS’ has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as MOBA, FPS, or Fighting games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘DPS’ is often used to analyze or evaluate a player’s performance, skill, or impact on the game.