Introduction
Damage per Second is first of all known as a theoretical formula to approximate the effectiveness of weapons versus enemies over time. Moreover an absolute value, which is calculated by total damage over a specific time, could be counted to the term DPS, too. The formula is not an absolute predicter of weapon effectiveness, due to the fact that it ignores any hidden effects, +/- stats, latent abilities, amount of TP per hit, the strength of a WS (calculated most of the time with the base dmg of mainhand-equipped weapons) and other additional effects like poison or ignoring defence, that may result in a more effective weapon. Remember, these are only the possible factors, which are given by the equiped weapon itself.
The DPS formula for melee weapons
- In the case of Hand to Hand weaponry, the base delay is 480. The abilty Martial Arts I reduces it to 400 and each further tier reduces the delay by another 20.
- Ranged weapons apparently dont have a constant multiplier by 60. Tests predict 70 to 100 according to what ranged weapon was equipped (see also Delay).
- In the case of Hand to Hand weaponry, the base delay is 480. The abilty Martial Arts I reduces it to 400 and each further tier reduces the delay by another 20.
Discussion
Higher generated numbers should have an advantage against lower numbers at the damage over time. But don't forget, that most WS's are calculated with the weapon base DMG and could easily outdamage an higher DPS - predicted by formula - weapon over time. Especially at VT+ mobs, at which normal hits arn't very well effective, the formula shouldn't be the criterium for choice. The other maior factors are the speed of TP gain to execute a WS, your job and the abilitys (e.g. Meditate; Double Attack; SaTa), your food (more dex or more attack), rest of your equipment and your own skill e.g. finding optimal ranged attack distance.
Effectiveness of a weapon and damage per second is based first of all by base dmg and TP gain and nevertheless by partymembers too. A well excuted WS is more worth than any formula and your own damage per second. Best example is, when you are able to open light or dark WS's fast enough to constantly chain with other party members. FFXI is party related and not a formula.
Example
At the end a little example, which gives a usefull idea of the effectiveness of the formula and the DPS system: The Military Axe has an unusually low delay for a Great Axe weapon. In comparison, the Centurion's Axe was created with common higher delay and higher base DMG. Let's see what the formula's choice is:
Military axe: 46 x 60 / (474) = 5.82 DPS
Centurion's Axe: 48 x 60 / (504) = 5.71 DPS
According to the DPS, the Military Axe is superior to the Centurion's Axe - around 2% more DPS. 2% is alot in FFXI compared to the efford, which some players do to boost their attack and or strength and the AGI +1 at the Centurion's Axe doesnt help for damage, but otherwise the 504 delay give 13.72 TP per hit instead of 12,7 TP per hit by 474 delay (new TP system Update April 2006).
What does this mean?
A diffrence of 1,02 means, that after evry 98 hits you have theoretically done 1 more WS with the Centurion's Axe. The Military Axe need theoretically 62 sec for 1 WS to be ready and for 98 hits 774 sec = 836 sec to fullfill the same amount of WS's as the Centurion's Axe , which need 823 sec.
Double Attack gives also a TP gaining boost over time. Lets see: 836 sec = 108 hits (M.Axe); 823 sec = 98 hits without Double Attack. With Double Attack we could predict that the C. Axe is even faster. ~10% of the hits done without loosing time = 740 sec for 98 hits (C.Axe) and 766 sec for 108 hits (M.Axe); we won another 13 sec with C.Axe at 10% Double Attack rate and only 7 hits lesser than M.Axe (dont forget, that at 26 sec the C.Axe can do 3 hits)!!!
What have we now?
A stronger C.Axe superior to M.Axe (with 7 more hits - but need more time for same amount of WS's and the WS's are probably weaker anyways).
Now the Clue
You need 100% TP for a WS and all this calculations above are not roundings to the 100%. It is just a theoretically pro for C.Axe at DPS calculated with TP, predicted in pure numbers, like the formula of DPS without TP do.
The Truth is, both weapons need 8 hits for 100% TP; we can't do half or comma hits.
M. Axe: 7 hits (55.3sec) = 88.9% TP; 8 hits (63.2sec) = 101.6% TP
C. Axe: 7 hits (58.8sec) = 96.4% TP; 8 hits (67.2sec) = 109.76% TP
Double Attack and TP gained by damage give more afford for the C.Axe. 3.4% TP to full 100% is done by one hit of an enemy. TP over 100% is even more faster done with the C.Axe as we have seen at our calculation above. The more at damage is also a great pro to choice the Centurion's Axe instead of the 1st of view better Military Axe. Only when you don't do any WS's, waste TP points by waiting too long at stagnating 300% TP or defeating too weak mobs with low defence (mob)/attack (char) quotient, the DPS of the M. Axe comes in handy. The last factor -the missing rate- doesn't give a great bonus to weapons, which have only a delaydiffrence of 300 (= 0.5 sec). Statistically they miss nearly the same.
Summary
You always have to see, what usage the weapon has got in certain situations, what job you have and don't rely to much on formulas: Consider for yourself and HAVE FUN!