Breaking Down the DPS formula

Gameplay Guides
1

*DPS = (({[BWD * (1+WD%) * (1+WIQ)] + WD} * (1 + ED%)) + ED)AS

It is easier to simplify the formula if you substitute variables.

Let A = BWD = Base Weapon Damage
B = 1+WD% = Weapon Damage %
C = 1+WIQ = Weapon Item Quality
D = WD = Weapon Damage +
E = 1+ED% = Elemental Damage %
F = ED = Elemental Damage +
G = AS = Attack Speed

Now the formula becomes much simpler to analyze
DPS = {[(ABC + D) * E] + F} * G
DPS = {[ABCE + DE] + F} * G
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G

Tip #1: Increase your Attack Speed

From inspection of the formula alone, you can see that the easiest way to increase your DPS is to increase Attack Speed since it multiplies everything.

Clarification:
By Attack Speed, I mean your actual attack per second. Attacks per second can be increased 2 ways depending on the skill you are using.

  1. using IAS (Increased Attack Speed) affixes - applies to skills with low cooldowns
  2. using Reduced CD affixes - applies to skills with long cooldowns.

These affixes, however, have caps and can only increase your DPS up to a certain amount. So after increasing attack speed, what’s the best way to increase DPS?

Tip #2 Get as much legend ED% as possible.

ED% multiplies everything but ED. It has no cap and can go as high as 100% on a single (non-eternal)equipment. This means that you can get as much as 600% ED(not including eternals and pet).

Now this presents a problem. Since ED% and AS are multipliers, they will give you a really small DPS if they have little to multiply to begin with. So, you have to raise the other factors as well. Now we have to compare the factors so we know which ones we have to prioritize.

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FAQ #1: WD vs ED?

Tip #3 Prioritize WD over ED on your weapon

This is easy. WD gets multiplied by ED% and WD doesn’t. This means that as long as you have at least 1 ED% affix on your gear, WD will have greater effect on your damage. If you have no ED% affix on any gear, WD and ED will have the same impact on your total DPS.

example #1:
you don’t have any ED%, have 5000 WD, don’t have 5000 ED
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
DPS = {ABC(1+0%) + 5000(1+0%) + 0} * G
DPS = {ABC + 5000} * G

example #2:
remove WD and add 5000 ED from example #1
DPS = {ABCE + 0(1+0%) + 5000} * G
DPS = {ABC(1+0%) + 0 + 5000} * G
DPS = {ABC + 5000} * G

Example #1 and #2 gives the same result

example #3:
you have 100 ED% and 5000 WD, but don’t have 5000 ED
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
DPS = {ABC(1+100%) + 5000(1+100%) + 0} * G
DPS = {ABC(2) + 5000(2)} * G
DPS = {2ABC + 10000} * G

example #4:
remove WD and add 5000 ED from example #3
DPS = {ABC(1+100%) + 0(1+100%) + 5000} * G
DPS = {ABC(2) + 5000} * G
DPS = {2ABC + 5000} * G

As long as you have ED% on an item, WD has greater value than ED

example #5
you have 100 ED%, have 5000 WD, have 5000 ED
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
DPS = {ABC(1+100%) + 5000(1+100%) + 5000} * G
DPS = {ABC(2) + 5000(2) + 5000} * G
DPS = {2ABC + 10000 + 5000} * G
DPS = {2ABC + 15000} * G

example #6
you have 200 ED%, have 5000 WD, have 5000 ED
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
DPS = {ABC(1+200%) + 5000(1+200%) + 5000} * G
DPS = {ABC(3) + 5000(3) + 5000} * G
DPS = {3ABC + 15000 + 5000} * G
DPS = {3ABC + 20000} * G

Raising your ED% increases WD’s value over ED.

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FAQ #2: WD% vs WD on weapon?

Tip #4: If you must choose, as long as your power is 80 or more, choose WD%.

Getting both should be the priority, but there may be instances when you can’t.

If we base it on the formula, DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
then it boils down to ABC vs D

Let WIQ = 25%
WD% = 100%
WD = 5000

A(1+100%)(1+25%) = 5000
A(2)(1.25) = 5000
A(2.5) = 5000
A = 2000

BWD = weapon base bamage + stat damage

Every weapon has a base damage assigned to it. You can find it on a level 1 weapon with no affixes. Example: warrior sword has 22-37 base damage.

Stat damage is the damage you get from your power stat. Each point of power gives you 25 extra damage so that at 299 power, you get 7475 damage.

Since weapon base damage is really small, let’s just base BWD on Stat Damage.

1 Power = 25 Damage ; 80 Power = 2000 Damage

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FAQ #3: WD% vs ED% on weapon.

TIP #5: To choose whether to get WD% or ED% on your weapon, there is no other way but to compute. There are 3 main things that should help you decide:
1) If you have WD or not.
2) If you have other items with ED%
3) Power

There is no weapon with both legend WD% and ED%, so what is the best way to maximize your damage?

The first thing to consider is WD% only affects the weapon it is on. ED%, on the other hand is available on all slots now. This means that we have a lot of options:

For control, let
WIQ = 25%
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G

1st pair of examples assume no WD, no ED% on any of the other equipment

Example #7: 100% WD, 0% ED
DPS = {A(1+100%)(1+25%)(1+0%) + 0(1+0%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2)(1.25)(1) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2.5) + F} * G

Example #8: 0% WD, 100% ED
DPS = {A(1+0%)(1+25%)(1+100%) + 0(1+100%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(1)(1.25)(2) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2.5) + F} * G

If you have 0 WD, and no ED% on any other item, WD% = ED%

2nd pair of examples assume no WD, and and least one other item has ED%

Example #9: 100% WD, 100% ED
DPS = {A(1+100%)(1+25%)(1+100%) + 0(1+100%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2)(1.25)(2) + F} * G
DPS = {A(5) + F} * G

Example #10: 0% WD, 200% ED
DPS = {A(1+0%)(1+25%)(1+200%) + 0(1+200%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(1)(1.25)(3) + F} * G
DPS = {A(3.75) + F} * G

If you have 0 WD, and have at least one other item with ED%, WD% > ED%

3rd pair of examples assume 5000 WD, no ED% on any of the other equipment

Example #11: 100% WD%, 0% ED
DPS = {A(1+100%)(1+25%)(1+0%) + 5000(1+0%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2)(1.25)(1) + 5000(1) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2.5) + 5000 + F} * G

Example #12: 0% WD, 100% ED
DPS = {A(1+0%)(1+25%)(1+100%) + 5000(1+100%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(1)(1.25)(2) + 5000(2) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2.5)+ 10000 + F} * G

If you have WD, and no ED% on any other item, WD% < ED%

4th pair of examples assume 5000 WD, 100% ED on one other item

Example #11: 100% WD%, 100% ED
DPS = {A(1+100%)(1.25%)(1+100%) + 5000(1+100%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2)(1.25)(2) + 5000(2) + F} * G
DPS = {A(5) + 10000 + F} * G

Example #12: 0% WD, 200% ED
DPS = {A(1+0%)(1+25%)(1+200%) + 5000(1+200%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(1)(1.25)(3) + 5000(3) + F} * G
DPS = {A(3.75)+ 15000 + F} * G

A(5) + 10000 = A(3.75)+ 15000
A(1.25) = 5000
A = 4000

1 Power = 25 Damage ; 160 Power = 4000 Damage

If you have WD and 100% ED on one other item, if you have at least 160 power, WD% > ED%.

However, the ideal is you have WD, and have 100% ED on each of your other items

Example #15: 100% WD, 500% ED
DPS = {A(1+100%)(1+25%)(1+500%) + 5000(1+500%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(2)(1.25)(6) + 5000(6) + F} * G
DPS = {A(15) + 30000 + F} * G

Example #16: 0% WD, 600% ED
DPS = {A(1+0%)(1+25%)(1+600%) + 5000(1+600%) + F} * G
DPS = {A(1)(1.25)(7) + 5000(7) + F} * G
DPS = {A(8.75) + 35000 + F} * G

A(15 + 30000 = A(8.75) + 35000
A(6.25) = 5000
A = 800

1 Power = 25 Damage ; 32 Power = 800 Damage

If you have WD and 100% ED on each other item, if you have at least 32 power, WD% > ED%.

FAQ #4: Why not use ED?

TIP #6: ED has the least value on the DPS formula since it doesn’t get multiplied by anything but attack speed. Try to use an affix that multiplies your damage instead.

I’ll give an example through my recommended generic item build:

  • Weapon and Offhand: There are many options (Use 1 with WD% and WD and the other with ED%
    Chest: Aether Wrap for the ED%)
  • Head: Apex of Epiphany for the Epiphany, Epiphany Bonus and ED%
  • Ring: Cognition for ED% and Push the Limit
  • Amulet: Entropic Jewel for ED%

Let BWD = 5000 (only 200 power to get this)
WD% = 100%
WIQ = 25%
WD = 5000
ED% = 500%

DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G
DPS = {5000(1+100%)(1+25%)(1+500%) + 5000(1+500%) + F} * G
DPS = {5000(2)(1.25)(6) + 5000(6) + F} * G
DPS = {5000(15) + 30000 + F} * G
DPS = {75000+ 30000 + F} * G
DPS = {105000 + F} * G

An ED affix of 5000 damage will only increase the damage by 4.7%. That is too small considering that there are affixes that could give a lot more. With my recommended item build, an item will have:

1 set affix
1 crystal affix
1 slot for an additional mythstone (usually elixer)
1 legend affix (ED% or WD%)

So we are left with about 1-2 affixes left per item (depending on mythic usage). We are running out of affix slots so we need to be efficient.

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2

Very well written. I will test it out in my spreadsheets. Thank you for sharing.

3

This. I hope some new players will notice and heed this. Damage vs Elites, Barbarian, Push the Limit, the good old Glasscannon are all separate damage multipliers, among others.

(Although Barbarian has been reported to be not working. I can’t confirm though.)

4

Wish I saw that more in arena and builds.

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I don’t play Arena that much, but yeah, it should be a thing. I glanced at your Tips thread back then and I noticed that Damage vs Elites have no cap. There probably is, but probably unknown at the moment. Even Luck and GF have caps in Arena lol, so that’s not so surprising. :smiley:

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Awesome job man! MVP

7

When do these factors multiply? At the end of the equation?

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8

Really really insightful. Love the analysis, thank you.

So, the best dps MH Weapon should always have these 3 slots: +100% WD (legend), +50% WD (Endow), and +5000 WD (epic). Attack speed should be maxed, maybe with +45% ias (crystal) on MH weapon and all natures on gear being of Haste, for example. All other pieces of gear should have +100% ED (legend), totaling +500% ED. Sound good?

9

This is great info! Thanks for taking the time to explain this.

10

Amazing! Thanks!

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this is a great help but im still lost in the twilight math-zone… thank you very much… it seems that there are more builds that wasnt yet discovered…

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They factor in outside the {ABCE + DE + F} block, so that:
Let H = total damage multipliers:
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * G * H
or
DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * H * G
or
DPS = H * {ABCE + DE + F} * G

Those will all work just the same.

Yes, that would be good for most builds, but not all. Some builds rely on skills that have long cooldowns. For those skills, it wouldn’t matter how high your attack speed is. You will need reduced cooldown, instead.

I forgot to include this info. Thanks a lot!

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13

Can we compile a list of these “other” multipliers? I think that would help people.

Glasscannon
Dmg to Elites
Barbarian (bugged)
Push the Limit
Focus talent for Wizard?
Explosive? (5% * 400% = +20 WD%)
Momentum (tied to move speed)
Pathfinder (tied to dodge)
Adventurer
Equality
Defiant
Inferno (fire)

Others? Also, the Endow mythstone adds to WD% (“B” variable), right? (Not “H”)

14

I’m not sure that all those you mentioned are H affixes:

Focus talent for Wizard? -adds to WD%
Explosive? (5% * 400% = +20 WD%) - proc skills would need a different DPS calculation (it would be hard to make a total DPS computation for all the skills you proc as each behaves differently)
Inferno (fire) - adds to ED% i think.

Endow - yes it adds to WD%

15

Druidic, plagued, permafrost

16

So how does the DPS calculation work for bleeding DMG ?
Will %ED boost it ?
Is bleeding DMG worth it as secons DMG boost with EDMG Build ?
ty for the answers :blush:

17

Sorry to ask this but i dont get your formula.

If i have 100ED% on all my gear should i put 5000WD+&% on MH&OH?

Should i put ED 5000+ on all gear too since i have ED% on all of them?

How does crit chance,crit dmg & deadlystrike work on elemcrit (ex. Poison cloud)

Mind if you help me :slight_smile: thank you

18

5000 WD will only increase the damage of the weapon it’s on, so don’t add it to OH if you don’t use OH skills for damage.

If all your damage comes from MH, then yes you want both WD% and WD on your MH.

If all your damage comes from OH, then you want both WD% and WD on your OH.

19

Oh i see.

Any advice coz i have wizard as hireling (poison type) and he only use meteor,shatter and proc skill% does WD affect on poison cloud? Or should i go all put blight?

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@Tizzu

Based on the codex, bleed deals 100% of the attack’s damage every sec for 10 sec. So, Bleed damage will behave like a total damage affix. I am not sure but I think for Bleed Damage the formula will be:

I = Bleed Chance
J = Bleed Damage%

DPS = {ABCE + DE + F} * I * (1+J)

Attack Speed will be set to 1 since it can only tick once every second.

Whether bleed dmg affix is worth it, I’m not sure. It will depend much on Bleed Chance. Some skill have bleed chance and some don’t. You also have to consider Blistering affix which is a 100% bleed chance that depends on fire elem crit Immolate. And also the Berserker talents for warrior. I think if your build is bleed oriented then you can’t go wrong with using bleed dmg affix. Otherwise, it can be tricky and you will have to do some computations.

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