What is DPS in Pokémon Go and Why It Matters?

Understanding DPS (Damage Per Second) is crucial for any serious Pokémon GO trainer looking to dominate in raids and gym battles. Let me break this down in a way that’ll make perfect sense, even if you’re just getting started.

What is DPS in Pokémon GO?

DPS stands for Damage Per Second, and it’s essentially how much hurt your Pokémon can put on opponents in a single second. Think of it as your Pokémon’s punching power combined with its attack speed. When you’re picking fighters for raids or gym battles, this number becomes super important.

How DPS is Calculated

The formula might sound complicated, but I’ll break it down into bite-sized pieces. DPS comes from:
– Your Pokémon’s base attack stat
– The power of its moves (both fast and charged)
– The speed at which those moves can be used
– Any weather boosts or type advantages

Fast Move DPS

Your fast move DPS is like your Pokémon’s basic punches. For example, if your Charizard knows Fire Spin, which deals 14 damage and takes 1.1 seconds to complete, its DPS would be roughly 12.7 (14 ÷ 1.1 = 12.7).

Charged Move DPS

Think of charged moves as your special attacks. Let’s say your Charizard has Blast Burn, which deals 110 damage. But remember, you need to build up energy to use it, so its actual DPS considers this charge-up time too.

Why DPS Matters

I’ll let you in on a little secret – high DPS is especially crucial in raid battles where you’re racing against the clock. You might have a super tanky Pokémon, but if it can’t dish out damage quickly enough, you might not beat the raid boss in time.

Tips for Maximizing DPS

Here’s what I’ve learned from countless battles:
– Match move types to your Pokémon’s type for a STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus)
– Consider weather conditions when choosing attackers
– Sometimes, a lower CP Pokémon with better moves can outperform a higher CP one
– Don’t forget about type advantages – they can multiply your DPS significantly

Remember, while DPS is important, it’s not the only factor to consider. You need to balance it with your Pokémon’s survivability and your own playstyle. Think of it like choosing between a glass cannon that hits hard but breaks easily, versus a more balanced fighter that stays in the battle longer.

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Jeb

13" MacBook Pro code warrior. Daily driver: M3 Pro, 32GB RAM & 2TB SSD. Terminal is my happy place.

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