DPS: Pounding Out Aggression Turns Into Obsession

Understand your role: As a DPS (Damage Per Second), also known as a Damage Dealer (DD) to Final Fantasy XI veterans, your primary objective is to defeat enemies as swiftly as possible.

Gear Appropriately: To maximize your damage output, ensure you are well-geared.

Master Your Rotation: Follow a specific sequence of skills (a rotation) to deal damage efficiently. Practice on a target dummy if needed.

Address DPS Checks: Be aware that certain dungeons, trials, or raids have DPS checks that must be met within a time limit to progress. If you fail a DPS check, improve your gear, review your rotation, and try again. The Echo buff, which increases after party wipes, is the only exception that can overcome a DPS check.

Utilize Damage over Time (DoT) Skills: Every job has at least one DoT skill. Do not neglect these; while they don't deal damage instantly, they are more potent over time than single-use non-DoT skills, with the exception of some Area of Effect (AoE) DoTs that require multiple targets. Arcanist heavily relies on DoTs.

Maintain Party Order: Always let the tank (the player who draws enemy attention, known as holding aggro) initiate combat. Do not intentionally pull aggro.

Follow Target Marking: If the tank marks targets, attack them in the order indicated. Pulling aggro on a target marked out of order is your responsibility.

Assist Tanks with Aggro: If you find yourself pulling aggro, check if your tank (Level 40+ Paladin or any level Warrior) has Shield Oath or Defiance enabled, as these are not on by default.

Communicate with Tanks: If you continue to pull aggro, especially in lower-level dungeons, the tank might be new. Politely ask if they are new to tanking. If they confirm, explain target marking and the use of skills like Flash & Overpower to hold aggro.

Report Botting: If a tank does not respond to communication attempts and you suspect they are using a bot (an automated program), report them as bot usage is prohibited.