Talk:Zesshi Zetsumei/@comment-2A00:23C4:9A85:5600:6091:F660:A4E4:8862-20180309193918/@comment-34666853-20180312155003

Additionally, there's another wrench in comparing/power-ranking players with different classes in absolute terms: the nature of DPS. DPS is the damage output per second which varies between AoE and single target spells. With AoE spells, there is increase in damage dealt per point of mana the higher the number of opponents, while single target spells will have higher set damage values. See, here's the thing, say we have an AoE spell that deals 300 damage for 100 mana and there are no resistances involved. When it hits only one enemy, it deals only 300 damage for 100 mana. But if it hits 5 enemies, it deals a total of 5 x 300 = 1500 damage (shared equally by 5 targets) for 100 mana. That's the beauty of an AoE spell. It is more efficient the greater the number of targets. It looks destructive. It looks flashy. It looks terrifying. But it requires multiple targets to achieve high damage values and its ability to deal damage to individual targets is lackluster. On the other hand, single target nukes tend to have high set damage values. And it's focused on only one target. It will have higher DPS when only one target is involved.

Now here's the thing: a single target nuker obliterates single targets. It won't look as impressive as an AoE nuker destroying entire armies. But the damage a single target nuker can output on to a single target will tend to be greater. Ergo, when you're relying on mythos and collective memories, the AoE nuker will have more impressive achievements but the single target specialist will win over him in a one-on-one.