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{{for|combat logging outside the game|CVar advancedCombatLogging}}
 
{{for|combat logging outside the game|CVar advancedCombatLogging}}
A '''damage meter''' is the colloquial term for a kind of [[AddOn]] that parses the [[combat log]] to measure player performance during combat. Such AddOns were originally introduced to monitor [[dps]] over the duration of a [[boss]] encounter, however, later variants could also measure other actions such as healing, interrupts and deaths.
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A '''damage meter''' is a kind of [[AddOn]] which parses the [[combat log]] to measure player performance during combat.
   
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The first major damage meter AddOn was [[DamageMeters]] in 2005 (AnduinLothar et al.), which synchronised combat logs in [[raid]] to record [[dps]] over the duration of a [[boss]] encounter. Subsequent AddOns now often monitor [[healing]], [[dispel]]s and [[death]]s.
==Controversy==
 
Over-reliance on damage meters as a measure of performance is controversial, especially in group play.<ref>{{ref web|title=Ready Check: On damage meters|date=20110520|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-05-20-ready-check-on-damage-meters.html|publisher=[[WoW Insider]]|author=Megan O'Neill}}</ref> It is generally-accepted [[etiquette]] to refrain from copying meter output into party/raid chat windows, to avoid the appearance of judging DPSers solely on their damage output without regard for other factors like the welfare of the group, the nature of specific battles, or any alternate roles. Players are often sensitive as damage meters may be used to filter supposedly under-performing players.
 
   
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==Reception==
Conversely, many advanced meters also include options to measure other stats ([[threat|threat]], [[HoT|heals per time]], [[dispel|dispel]]s etc.). Proponents thus feel they are useful tools in evaluating performance since these additional views can account for an individual's play style and utility role.
 
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Damage meters are very popular. Notable examples include:
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* [[Recount (Addon)|Recount]] (Cryect et al. 2007), more than 100 million downloads
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* "Details!" (Terciob et al. 2013), more than 100 million downloads
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* "Skada" (Zarnivoop et al. 2009), more than 30 million downloads
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Damage meters are also widely criticised, particularly in group play.<ref>{{ref web|title=Ready Check: On damage meters|date=20110520|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-05-20-ready-check-on-damage-meters.html|publisher=[[WoW Insider]]|author=Megan O'Neill}}</ref>
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* Reducing [[Damage (role)|DPSers]] to single benchmark ignores other actions benefiting the welfare of the group. Players may also perceive inferiority on this single basis, whether justified or not. Conversely, it is possible to measure other actions beyond damage.
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* During a mid-fight [[wipe]], damage meters cannot account for abilities that would have shone in later stages. For example, classes with [[execute]] mechanics have stronger dps when the boss health falls below a percentage. Conversely, consistent performance below the group norm in early phases could indicate a genuine problem.
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It is therefore generally-accepted [[etiquette]] to refrain from pasting damage meter output into party chat windows. Regardless if the intent is to praise or condemn, it is preferable to speak about (or /whisper) a single person's damage rather than pasting results for a whole group.
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On the other hand, damage meters are commonly acknowledged for their utility when training a [[rotation]] with a [[Combat Dummy]].
   
 
==Limitations==
 
==Limitations==
Damage meters are non-authoritative, principaly limited to the combat log range. Different players will have incomplete logs in a disperesed encounter such as a large room or separate phases. This can be overcome with {{api|C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage|hidden addon traffic}}, but requires several players to install similar AddOns to ensure data reliability.
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Damage meters are non-authoritative, principaly limited to the combat log range. Players in a dispersed encounter (e.g. large room or split phases) will have incomplete logs. This can be overcome with {{api|C_ChatInfo.SendAddonMessage|hidden addon traffic}}, but requires several players to install the same (or compatible) AddOns for data reliability.
   
Meanwhile, even same player having more two or more damage meters installed will record slightly different readings with each.<ref>{{ref web|title=Addon Spotlight: Skada versus Recount|author=Olivia Grace|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-03-12-addon-spotlight-skada-versus-recount.html|date=20130312|publisher=[[WoW Insider]]}}</ref> This can result from deliberate differences in how each AddOn interprets similar data, such as when combat is considered to have begun and ended for each player (ie, how to count deaths).
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Meanwhile, different meters will measure the same combat log differently, resulting in slight differences in output.<ref>{{ref web|title=Addon Spotlight: Skada versus Recount|author=Olivia Grace|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-03-12-addon-spotlight-skada-versus-recount.html|date=20130312|publisher=[[WoW Insider]]}}</ref> This can result from deliberate differences in how each AddOn interprets similar data:
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* When combat begins for each player including handling precasting.
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* When combat ends for each player including handling deaths and any [[DoT]]s that tick after death.
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* Whether to include unique damage-dealing mechanics; and if not, how to record the time spent using them in lieu of normal abilities.
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
* [https://www.wowinterface.com/downloads/info5294-DamageMeters.html DamageMeters] (AnduinLothar and Dandelion, 2005-2008); was the first popular data-synchronizing damage meter, and integrated with Cosmos.
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* [https://www.wowinterface.com/downloads/info5294-DamageMeters.html DamageMeters]
* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/recount Recount] (Cryect, Elsia and Resike, 2007-present); more than 100 million downloads.
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* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/recount Recount]
* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/skada Skada Damage Meter] (Zarnivoop et al, 2009-present); more than 30 million downloads.
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* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/skada Skada Damage Meter]
* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/details Details!] (Terciob et al., 2013-present); more than 100 million downloads.
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* [https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/details Details!]
   
 
[[Category:Game terms]][[Category:AddOns]]
 
[[Category:Game terms]][[Category:AddOns]]

Revision as of 17:23, 6 January 2022

For combat logging outside the game, see CVar advancedCombatLogging.

A damage meter is a kind of AddOn which parses the combat log to measure player performance during combat.

The first major damage meter AddOn was DamageMeters in 2005 (AnduinLothar et al.), which synchronised combat logs in raid to record dps over the duration of a boss encounter. Subsequent AddOns now often monitor healing, dispels and deaths.

Reception

Damage meters are very popular. Notable examples include:

  • Recount (Cryect et al. 2007), more than 100 million downloads
  • "Details!" (Terciob et al. 2013), more than 100 million downloads
  • "Skada" (Zarnivoop et al. 2009), more than 30 million downloads

Damage meters are also widely criticised, particularly in group play.[1]

  • Reducing DPSers to single benchmark ignores other actions benefiting the welfare of the group. Players may also perceive inferiority on this single basis, whether justified or not. Conversely, it is possible to measure other actions beyond damage.
  • During a mid-fight wipe, damage meters cannot account for abilities that would have shone in later stages. For example, classes with Inv sword 48 [Execute] mechanics have stronger dps when the boss health falls below a percentage. Conversely, consistent performance below the group norm in early phases could indicate a genuine problem.

It is therefore generally-accepted etiquette to refrain from pasting damage meter output into party chat windows. Regardless if the intent is to praise or condemn, it is preferable to speak about (or /whisper) a single person's damage rather than pasting results for a whole group.

On the other hand, damage meters are commonly acknowledged for their utility when training a rotation with a Combat Dummy.

Limitations

Damage meters are non-authoritative, principaly limited to the combat log range. Players in a dispersed encounter (e.g. large room or split phases) will have incomplete logs. This can be overcome with hidden addon traffic, but requires several players to install the same (or compatible) AddOns for data reliability.

Meanwhile, different meters will measure the same combat log differently, resulting in slight differences in output.[2] This can result from deliberate differences in how each AddOn interprets similar data:

  • When combat begins for each player including handling precasting.
  • When combat ends for each player including handling deaths and any DoTs that tick after death.
  • Whether to include unique damage-dealing mechanics; and if not, how to record the time spent using them in lieu of normal abilities.

References

 
  1. ^ Megan O'Neill 2011-05-20. Ready Check: On damage meters. WoW Insider.
  2. ^ Olivia Grace 2013-03-12. Addon Spotlight: Skada versus Recount. WoW Insider.

External links