In Star Citizen, combat success often depends on preparation. The right ship loadout determines how much damage you deal and how long you can stay in the fight. Damage per second (DPS) is the stat most pilots use to compare weapons and ships, but DPS alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Heat buildup, capacitor drain, and weapon roles all affect performance.
A Star Citizen DPS calculator helps you test setups before launching, ensuring your loadout matches your combat style.
Understanding DPS in Star Citizen
DPS measures how much damage your weapons deal every second, but it changes dynamically in combat.
Main factors include:
- Weapon class (ballistics, energy, distortion, tachyon)
- Rate of fire and projectile cycle time
- Damage type (kinetic, laser, plasma, distortion)
- Range falloff and accuracy
- Heat and power consumption
👉 To see how these variables interact, try the Star Citizen Weapon Damage Calculator.
Burst DPS vs Sustained DPS
- Burst DPS: Maximum short-term damage, ideal for ambushes.
- Sustained DPS: Average damage you can keep over time without overheating or running out of power.
Both are important, but sustained DPS often decides longer fights. Tools like the Star Citizen Average DPS Calc help you measure consistency.
Weapon Type Comparison
| Weapon Type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballistics | High burst, strong vs armor | Limited ammo | Heavy fighters, fast kills |
| Energy | Unlimited ammo, reliable | Heat issues | Dogfighting, light ships |
| Distortion | Disables shields/systems | Low direct damage | Support roles |
| Tachyon | Huge hits, long range | Slow rate | Sniper ships |
👉 Use the Star Citizen Accuracy Calculator to see how weapon choice affects hit chance in real combat. If you’re switching from melee to magic, use the OSRS DPS Calculator to see how DPS changes.
Optimizing Your Ship Loadout
1. Balance Ballistics and Energy
Mix ballistics for burst kills with energy weapons for reliable follow-up damage.
2. Manage Heat and Power
High-DPS weapons drain capacitors fast. Check capacitor usage in tools like the Star Citizen Combat Level Calculator to balance firepower with endurance.
3. Match Weapons to Roles
- Dogfighters → laser repeaters
- Long-range ships → cannons/tachyons
- Support ships → distortion weapons
4. Optimize by Ship Class
- Light Fighters → prioritize agility, sustained DPS
- Medium Ships → mix for versatility
- Heavy Ships → burst loadouts, turret support
Example Loadouts
- Gladius → 3x laser repeaters for steady DPS.
- Hornet → hybrid ballistic + energy repeaters for burst and consistency.
- Constellation Andromeda → cannons + turrets for fleet support.
👉 Use the Star Citizen Boss DPS Calculator to simulate how these loadouts perform in long engagements. Spellcasters often rely on the OSRS Magic DPS Calculator to understand how bonuses affect damage.
FAQs
1. Why does sustained DPS matter more than burst DPS?
Because most PvP and fleet fights last longer than a single ammo burst.
2. Do calculators account for overheating?
Yes—heat and capacitor management are built into good DPS tools.
3. Should I prioritize ballistics or energy?
Mixing both usually offers the best balance of burst and sustainability.
4. Does range affect DPS?
Yes, damage falls off with distance; lasers hold up better than ballistics.
5. Are gimbals worth the DPS loss?
Yes, for pilots who value easier tracking and flexibility.
Edwards is the creator of OSRSDPSCalc.online, a specialized calculator site designed to help Old School RuneScape players optimize their damage output and gear setups. With a focus on accuracy and ease of use, Edwards provides reliable tools and insights that save players time and enhance gameplay. His dedication to the OSRS community ensures each feature is built with precision, helping users make smarter in-game decisions.