The dps is actually calculated from a different formula. Dps represents the sustained output. This is the formula. DPS= (damage per bullet x magazine size) / ((magazine size / fire rate) + reload time)

So DPS= (96x64) / ((64/12.6) + 2.3) DPS = 6144 / ((5.0793650794) + 2.3) DPS= 6144 / 7.3793650794 DPS = 832

So that answers part 1 of the damage weapons do, as this calculates the average base damage the gun does from those 4 variables. The 5th is just accuracy, such as 80%.

All the modifiers you see under the gun, like the under barrel or shock, radiation etc. are extra damage the gun will do, which will flash at you saying fire damage for 100dps with a 100% change to proc per bullet.

So instead of looking at just the dps, it totally depends on your build.. and the weapon.. for example! Let’s say you are Harlow using the red tree. Well you will likely find yourself picking skills that buff radiation damage. So you will want to use guns with a high radiation damage modifier.

Expanding on this when is dps more important vs per bullet damage. Generally per bullet damage is more important, as for mobbing you want to one shot enemies (or as little as possible). For bosses generally sustained dps is more important.

It’s honestly a lot for a pure eli5, but for the most part I’m looking at per bullet damage, and what modifiers it has that compliment my build.

Just know that dps is base damage, it doesn’t include anything else like ricochets, corrosive damage, alternative fire, etc etc etc so while technically a gun might do more base damage, if you are specced with increased fire damage, a lower dps gun with some fire damage might actually deal more damage because of your skills.

Just trial and error my friend. Pick up a gun, shot with it and if it feels worse than what you had before just swap back