DPS, Damage per Second, is a metric used in video gaming to measure the amount of damage a character, weapon, or ability can inflict on an opponent per second. This is commonly used in role-playing games (RPGs), massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), and first-person shooters (FPS) to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of different combat strategies or equipment. DPS can be a critical factor in gameplay, influencing players' choices regarding their characters' skills, weapon builds, or combat tactics. It helps in optimizing the overall damage output and is often a key statistic in competitive gaming environments.