Damage vs. DPS

[beilou]

Is it better to have higher damage than DPS? Why or why not?

[iacito]

I would choose damage because Damage increases your skill damage while DPS increases the average damage you make per second (the rate at which your weapon is being fired is increased).

[drgrimmy]

Depends on the situation...

Higher damage with resultant higher skill damage better for mobs in pve as one is usually
spamming charged skills with mob control and utilizing fewer basic weapon attacks.

Higher dps is better against bosses and single opponents in pve where one is more likely
to be utilizing uncharged skills and will have lots of time to be spamming the basic weapon
attack against the enemy.

For PvP again a weapon with higher damage and resultant skill damage is probably better
to maximize your initial burst damage when you quickly spam 2-3 offensive skills to kill
your enemy quickly. Furthermore, the current weapons with the highest damage (rifles)
also have the longest range and don't need to be aimed at your enemy, both beneficial
attributes when inflicting a ranged attack on your enemy.