When playing multiplayer games, particularly those in the RPG, MMO, and action genres, building a well-rounded and effective team is crucial for success. If you’re gearing up to form a group with your friends, one of the most important roles to consider is the DPS (Damage Per Second) role. DPS characters are the backbone of many teams, dealing the majority of the damage in fights and ensuring the group’s success in challenging encounters. But what is the best DPS for a friends group? Let’s dive into the most popular options across various games and strategies for picking the best DPS for your squad.
What Makes a Good DPS Character?
Before jumping into specific character or class recommendations, let’s briefly discuss what qualities make a DPS character ideal for a friends group:
- Sustained Damage Output: DPS characters need to consistently deal high damage over a prolonged period, rather than just dealing a massive blow and then fading out.
- Group Synergy: A good DPS doesn’t just hit hard but also complements the team. They should either benefit from or provide buffs and debuffs to maximize the group’s efficiency.
- Survivability: While DPS characters are often glass cannons, some survivability (like self-healing, shields, or mobility) can ensure they stay in the fight longer.
- Flexibility: The best DPS classes can handle a variety of situations, adapting to different combat scenarios, such as single-target damage, AoE (area of effect) damage, or dealing with bosses and hordes of enemies.
Now that we have an understanding of what makes a good DPS character, let’s go over some of the best DPS for a friends group, considering different game types.
Best DPS for Friends Group: Top Recommendations
1. Rangers/Archers (MMORPGs and Action RPGs)
In many MMORPGs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, Rangers or Archers are considered one of the best DPS for a friends group. Their role usually revolves around dealing high burst damage from a distance, which keeps them safe while still contributing heavily to the team’s damage output.
Pros:
- High Burst Damage: Rangers typically have abilities that deal a significant amount of damage in a short time.
- Range and Mobility: They can stay at a distance, avoiding most melee attacks and dangerous situations.
- Versatility: Whether you’re dealing with single-target bosses or swarms of enemies, archers can switch between specialized abilities to adapt to various combat situations.
Example Games:
- World of Warcraft (WoW): Beast Mastery or Marksmanship Hunters
- Final Fantasy XIV: Bard or Dancer (depending on party composition)
Best for: Players who prefer ranged combat and want to contribute a lot of damage while staying out of harm’s way. Rangers can fit well into most party compositions, whether you’re tackling large dungeons, world bosses, or PvP battles.
2. Mages (RPGs and Action Games)
Mages are another solid choice for DPS in any friends group. They tend to excel at both AoE (area of effect) damage and high burst damage spells, often turning the tide of battle with powerful spells that deal significant damage to multiple enemies at once.
Pros:
- High AoE Damage: Mages can devastate groups of enemies with area-based spells, which is perfect for clearing hordes or dealing with enemies that have lots of health.
- Utility Spells: Mages often provide a lot of utility to their team, such as buffs, debuffs, crowd control, and healing (depending on the type of mage).
- Elemental Power: Whether it’s fire, ice, or lightning, mages have access to different elements, making them flexible in terms of damage types and strategies.
Example Games:
- Diablo III: Wizard
- The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO): Sorcerer or Templar (depending on build)
Best for: Players who enjoy casting spells and controlling the battlefield. Mages are ideal for players who want to balance damage with utility, offering both raw damage and helpful team support.
3. Assassins or Rogues (Stealth DPS)
In both MMORPGs and action games, Assassins or Rogues are strong DPS picks, especially for those who prefer agility, stealth, and quick, lethal strikes. Rogues are known for their ability to deal high burst damage in short bursts, often when enemies are unaware of their presence.
Pros:
- High Burst Damage: Rogues and Assassins are often designed to deal maximum damage in a short period, especially against unprepared or weakened targets.
- Stealth Mechanics: Their ability to stealth allows them to avoid taking damage, reposition, or set up surprise attacks on key targets.
- Quick and Agile: Rogues can often move faster than other classes, making them excellent for evading attacks and positioning.
Example Games:
- World of Warcraft: Rogue (especially Assassination or Outlaw spec)
- Assassin’s Creed: Assassin (for solo or co-op action)
Best for: Players who enjoy stealth tactics and high single-target damage. Rogues are perfect for those who like to sneak around, take down key enemies, and avoid taking damage.
4. Warriors (Physical DPS)
While warriors are typically known for their tanking abilities, in many games, they can also function as DPS if built correctly. They often rely on physical attacks and abilities that allow them to deal sustained damage while still maintaining a solid defense.
Pros:
- Sustained Damage: Warriors typically have strong sustained damage abilities that can be maintained over long periods, making them ideal for protracted boss fights.
- Good Survivability: Warriors can often take a lot of hits, which allows them to remain in the battle longer than other DPS classes.
- Great for Melee Combat: For players who prefer close-quarters combat, warriors can be excellent at dealing high melee damage.
Example Games:
- World of Warcraft: Arms Warrior or Fury Warrior
- Final Fantasy XIV: Warrior (with a DPS-focused build)
Best for: Players who enjoy close-range combat and a tanky, yet damaging role. Warriors are great for those who want to be in the thick of battle but still dish out significant damage.
5. Gunners/Marksmen (Action RPGs)
In action RPGs like Borderlands or Destiny, gun-toting DPS classes are often some of the best choices for friends groups. Gunners or Marksmen typically focus on ranged, precision shooting, often with access to powerful firearms or futuristic weapons.
Pros:
- High Precision Damage: Gunners and Marksmen excel at landing critical hits, especially when using sniper rifles or specialized weapons that deal immense damage with precision.
- Variety of Weapons: From machine guns to rocket launchers, players can choose their preferred weapon type to fit different situations.
- Group Buffs: Many gun-focused classes offer buffs that can improve the overall damage output of the team, making them great in coordinated groups.
Example Games:
- Borderlands: Gunzerker or Siren
- Destiny 2: Hunter or Warlock (with a focus on DPS)
Best for: Players who love shooting and precision combat. These classes are great for those who want to contribute to long-range attacks while providing utility to the team.
How to Choose the Best DPS for Your Friends Group
When choosing the best DPS for your friends group, consider these key factors:
- Team Composition: If your group lacks support or healing, you may want to opt for a DPS class that has some utility, such as a Mage or Ranger.
- Playstyle: Are you more comfortable with melee combat, or do you prefer to stay at a distance and snipe enemies? Consider which style feels most enjoyable.
- Synergy: Some DPS characters work better when paired with specific other roles, such as a Rogue with a Tank or a Mage with a Healer.
- Game Type: Some games have unique DPS classes that cater to certain situations (like AoE damage or single-target burst), so consider what kind of encounters your group will face most often.
Conclusion
Choosing the best DPS for your friends group depends on a variety of factors including your team’s needs, your preferred playstyle, and the type of game you’re playing. Whether you go for a ranged option like a Ranger, a burst damage specialist like a Rogue, or a versatile Mage, there’s no shortage of excellent DPS choices out there.
Ultimately, the best DPS is the one that fits well with your friends’ playstyles and complements your team’s composition. So, take the time to experiment with different classes and have fun exploring what works best for your group. The right DPS can make all the difference in your gaming experience!