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Do Tanks Really Out-Damage DPS? Unpacking the Myth

The simple answer is: no, tanks do not generally do more Damage Per Second (DPS) than DPS characters. However, the situation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While tanks are designed to absorb damage and control the battlefield, not primarily to deal damage, certain factors can sometimes create the impression that they are outperforming DPS roles in the damage department. This article will delve into why that misconception exists, clarify the roles of tanks and DPS, and explore the complex relationship between these two essential categories of heroes.

Tank vs. DPS: A Fundamental Difference

It is crucial to understand that tanks and DPS characters have fundamentally different roles and design philosophies.

DPS (Damage Per Second) heroes are designed with the explicit purpose of dealing high damage, often through specialized attacks and abilities that allow them to burst down opponents quickly or consistently output large damage totals over time. They tend to have lower health pools and rely on mobility and positioning to survive engagements.
Tanks, on the other hand, are built to be durable and disruptive. Their kits are geared towards absorbing large amounts of damage, controlling areas of the map, and protecting their teammates. While some tanks can certainly deal significant damage, their damage output is typically lower than a DPS hero’s, because their primary focus is on survivability and utility.

Why the Misconception?

Several factors contribute to the idea that tanks might do more damage than DPS:

1. Survivability Leads to Consistent Damage

Tanks, by their nature, are harder to kill. They have larger health pools, defensive abilities, and often have natural mitigation to incoming damage. This allows them to stay in combat longer, resulting in more opportunities to deal damage. While their individual attacks might not be as potent as a DPS character’s, they are able to consistently apply damage, simply by staying alive. This consistency can translate to higher overall damage numbers, especially in longer engagements.

2. The Illusion of High Damage Output

In many games, damage statistics can be deceiving. A tank might rack up significant “damage done” numbers due to their constant presence in the fight and their use of Area of Effect (AOE) abilities. However, this number doesn’t directly correlate to the impact of that damage. For example, a DPS character who can quickly eliminate a key enemy target, can often be more impactful despite having less “damage done”. It’s important to consider not just total damage but also effective damage.

3. Tank-Heavy Metas

Certain game metagames can become dominated by tanks. If a tank character has been buffed, or has abilities that allow for both survivability and high damage, it can cause an imbalance, leading to the illusion of tanks out-damaging DPS. But this situation usually indicates that a tank hero is unbalanced or over-tuned, not that tanks generally do more DPS than DPS roles.

4. Misinterpreting “Damage”

Many players conflate “damage done” with “DPS”. While damage done is a cumulative figure over time, DPS is damage output per second. Tanks may accumulate more damage over the course of a game due to their longevity and resilience, but they rarely outmatch the damage output of a dedicated DPS hero over the same timeframe.

5. The Over-tuned Tank Situation

There are also moments where certain tanks get over-buffed. This causes a tank to output more damage than they are intended to do. This does not make it a natural occurrence but a situation caused by faulty balancing. If you are seeing an over-tuned tank out-damaging DPS heroes, it is best to communicate to the developers that there needs to be a balancing update for that tank hero.

The Real Difference: Roles and Impact

It’s crucial to remember that the key difference is in roles and impact, not just raw damage numbers.

DPS characters are specialists in damage. They are designed to be glass cannons, often with abilities that either provide high burst or consistent damage. Their success relies on their skill in timing their damage output, positioning to avoid being easily targeted, and identifying vulnerable targets.
Tanks are designed to enable the DPS to be effective. They protect the DPS, control enemy movements, and create opportunities for DPS characters to secure kills. A good tank is invaluable, but they achieve this through survivability, disruption, and setup, not necessarily high DPS numbers.

Conclusion: It’s Not About the Numbers, It’s About the Role

While tanks might sometimes register high damage done numbers due to their survivability and presence in a fight, they do not typically out-damage a DPS character on a per-second basis. The perception of tanks out-damaging DPS is usually a result of misunderstood statistics, skewed game balance, or an over-reliance on total damage done rather than effective damage. Understanding the fundamental differences in their design, roles, and impact is crucial for analyzing a game’s state and for making informed decisions during gameplay. Tanks enable, disrupt and protect while DPS output the damage. Both are crucial and distinct.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. In Overwatch, do tanks deal more damage than DPS characters?

No, generally in Overwatch, tanks do not deal more DPS than DPS characters. However, their survivability allows them to deal consistent damage over longer periods, potentially leading to higher damage done totals on the scoreboard.

2. If tanks don’t do the most damage, what is their primary role?

Tanks primarily focus on absorbing damage, protecting their teammates, controlling the flow of combat, and creating opportunities for their team to engage.

3. Do some tanks have higher damage output than others?

Yes, some tanks have abilities that allow for higher damage output than others. But even with these tanks, their damage capabilities are usually lower than DPS characters.

4. Is “damage done” the most accurate metric for determining player effectiveness?

No, “damage done” is not the most accurate metric. Effective damage, target elimination, and overall impact are often more relevant measures of success.

5. Can a tank be successful without dealing significant damage?

Absolutely. A tank’s primary function is to create space and opportunities. They can be highly effective even with moderate damage output through strategic disruption and protection of their team.

6. Why does it sometimes feel like tanks are doing too much damage?

This can happen due to game imbalances where a specific tank might be over-tuned or when tanks are allowed to be too aggressive without suffering consequences.

7. What is the “Tank Diff” that people talk about in Overwatch?

“Tank Diff” refers to a situation where one team’s tank player is significantly outperforming the other team’s tank player. This can have a huge impact on the outcome of the game.

8. How do game developers balance tanks and DPS heroes?

Game developers constantly adjust hero abilities and stats, keeping a close eye on win rates, play rates, and community feedback. The ultimate goal is to achieve a balanced gameplay experience.

9. What role is harder to play, tank or DPS?

Both roles can be challenging in different ways. Tanks need strong game sense and positioning, while DPS need accuracy, timing, and ability to get picks. Neither is inherently harder than the other, it is dependent on the player.

10. What if a Tank keeps topping the damage charts in my game?

If a tank is consistently topping the damage charts in your games, it could indicate either a skill difference, a meta imbalance, or that the tank is playing in a manner not suited to the role.

11. Do different games handle tank and DPS roles differently?

Yes, absolutely. Different games have varying designs and roles for tanks and DPS. In some games, tanks may be more focused on control while in others they might have a larger damage output.

12. Is a tank’s total damage more important than a DPS character’s total damage?

No, both are crucial for a team, but they are not the same. A tank’s damage enables them to secure space and apply pressure, while DPS’s damage enables them to eliminate key targets.

13. Do tanks always have simpler rotations than DPS characters?

This depends on the specific game. While some tank rotations are indeed simpler than some DPS roles, there are also tanks with complex rotations and resource management systems.

14. Can a tank hard carry in a game?

A hard carry is usually more associated with DPS roles, but a tank can certainly be impactful enough to carry a game by enabling their team and making the right calls for engagements and disengagements.

15. Should I be worried if my tank has significantly more damage than my DPS?

Yes, if the damage difference is substantial and consistent, this may indicate that the DPS players are underperforming, or that the tank may not be playing their role correctly. It may also indicate that there is an unbalance problem with the specific tank hero.

Do tanks do more DPS than DPS?