Summary
When it comes to MMOs, the role of DPS, Damage Per Second, is generally thought of as the flashiest. You’re pumping out those big damage numbers, melting enemy health bars, and you’re the one actually making sure those bosses die. That tends to make it the most popular role in the trinity of DPS, Tank, and Healer.
Not every DPS is created equally though, andnot every MMO takes the same approachto what exactly a DPS should look like. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the MMOs with the best DPS roles to help you find the right damage-dealing fit for your massively multiplayer needs.
8City Of Heroes
Damage Goes Up, Up And Away
City Of Heroes was closed down in 2012, but an officially recognized fan effort meansyou can still play this MMO today. With multiple superhero archetypes available to play, you can design your own caped crusader to do damage your way.
Hurl electricity from afar as a Blaster, or fly straight towards your enemies to unleash a flurry of blows as a Scrapper. With multiple archetypes and powersets to choose from, you’ll spend as much time in the robust character creator as you do pummelling supervillains.
7Everquest
It Started Here
The influence of the original Everquest on not just the MMO genre, but the gaming landscape overall, simply can’t be overstated. Not only was it a cultural phenomenon, a gaming experience unlike any other, but it also led to a shift in industry practices.
Everquest has an impressive sixteen classes, many of which are damage dealers. Whether you want to rush into the fray as a Berserker or hang back and fire arrows as a Ranger, or something else entirely, the game has you covered.
6Star Wars: The Old Republic
The fantasy of being a Jedi, Sith, or Bounty Hunter is an appealing one to a lot of gamers, and Star Wars: The Old Republic lets you live out that fantasy. The worry would be that the class you want to play because it’s your favourite Star Wars trope isn’t what matches your playstyle.
Fortunately, Star Wars: The Old Republic has a great deal of customization for your character build. Choose the origin you like best, and the Combat Style system will allow you to lean as hard into damage dealing as your heart desires.
5The Elder Scrolls Online
Damage Worth Shouting About
You, like so many other gamers, may be waiting impatiently for the next Elder Scrolls game. If you haven’t already tried it, The Elder Scrolls Online is the best way to pass the time while you wait, aside from starting your five-hundredth Skyrim playthrough anyway.
Damage dealing options in The Elder Scrolls Online are impressive. From the fiery Dragonknight to the stealthy Nightblade and more, you’ll be able to find something to deal massive damage that isn’t a stealth archer for once.
4Black Desert Online
If You Can Get Past Character Creation
Black Desert Online was a shock to the MMO scene in 2016, it almost seemed to spring up out of nowhere. With stunning graphics and a unique combat system, it made an immediate splash, and that’s to say nothing of the incredible character creator.
If you do ever manage to pull yourself out of character creation, the game has some great DPS class options available. You could be an elemental Witch, a swift Ninja, a ferocious Berserker, or so much more.
3World Of Warcraft
Still The King
There can certainly be debate about whether there has been an MMO has been better than World Of Warcraft, but none have been bigger. It was such a pillar of pop culture for years that it really does feel like an old friend.
Hopping back in will give you every variety of DPS you could hope for. Damage over time Warlocks, burst Rogues, mobile Hunters, Frost Death Knights, and more. The class design is rock solid, mechanically sound, and has a true sense of identity.
2Guild Wars 2
Every Class Fills Every Role
Guild Wars 2 takes a fresh approach to class design. Each class is customizable and capable of filling different roles. A Necromancer can be tanky and impossible to kill, or they might be loading enemies up with damage over time and melting their health bar.
Some classes lean a little more in one direction than others, but all of them can absolutely fulfill your DPS dreams. If every class is potentially DPS, you can choose whichever one appeals to you the most.
1Final Fantasy 14
You Can Play Them All
It might seem hard to believe, but Final Fantasy 14 has an impressive roster of 14 different DPS classes. That’s well over half of the 22 combat classes on offer, meaning you’re absolutely spoilt for choice when picking your DPS role.
Unlike with other MMOs, you won’t have to make a separate character for each DPS class. Your character can swap freely between them, meaning you could play all of them to have the most complete DPS journey imaginable.
In any MMO, it’s a good idea to try playing at least a little of Healer and Tank roles so you may better understand them. You don’t have to stick with them, but the insight gained will help you be an even better DPS. Final Fantasy 14 makes this incredibly easy, as you can swap to those roles and back on the same character.
