Page updated: December 6, 2018
You can bring up important changes, inaccuracies, and/or corrections in the comments section at the bottom of this guide.
ArcDPS is a third-party developer add-on for Guild Wars 2 that provides several utilities for players. It is developed by Deltaconnnected and utilizes a hook with client network data to have access to useful functions. Although no changes are made to game files, this method of data extraction is in direct violation of the Guild Wars 2 – Rules of Conduct, particularly rules 15 and 20.
15.) You will not attempt to interfere with, hack into, or decipher any transmissions to or from the servers running Guild Wars 2.
20.) You may not use any third-party program (such as a “bot”) in order to automate gameplay functions, including playing, chatting, interacting, or gathering gold or items within Guild Wars 2. You may not assist, relay, or store gold or items for other players who are using these processes.
As such this software cannot be fully recommended or endorsed by the guild as the no-tolerance policy for such activities could result in the permanent deletion or removal of accounts from users.
However, there is an unofficial “agreement” that has been reached between Deltaconnected(ArcDPS) and ArenaNet. Sources:
1.) Reddit AMA, Chris Cleary* – Wednesday, February 8, 2017 (17:28:52 EST)
You are correct. Combat data is defined as any information that is created due to the usage of skills or impact on players due to skill usage (by the player/s or an outside source).
Edit/Update: These statements are particularly targeted at a “DPS Meter” or functionality built around the capture of combat data. Features outside of that most likely fall under “Quality of Life” changes and should be removed from DPS meters if they want to be considered compliant with our rules.
2.) Reddit Thread, Chris Cleary* – Friday, April 21, 2017 (04:21:31 EST)
Good questions here, but nothing I haven’t already answered. I’ll go ahead and rebump previous info given out here.
ArenaNet authorizes the use and development of 3rd Party tools under the banner of a “DPS Meter”. “DPS Meters” is defined as the collection and processing of combat related data in order to develop a statistical and visual representation of that data. This combat data maybe collected from anyone inside of your immediate social group. Social groups are defined as including the player character, and current party and/or squad.
Combat data does not include current entity status, including current Buffs/Debuffs/Health/Stats/Location or any other data that is not generated due to the usage of skills or impact on player characters due to skill usage (by the PC/s or an outside source).
The collection and processing of data in the client must be limited to the scope of the “DPS meter” and should not exceed it. Visualization of this data must also limited to the scope of the “DPS Meter” which includes visualizations, logging, and processing/visualization of logging.
* – The above comments were posted by a known and verified Reddit account, u/ChrisCleary. As of October 31, 2018 Chris’ Reddit account was deleted. The particular comments were not deleted themselves, but their association has weakened. No current statement has been made regarding this.
In its current state ArcDPS is a commonly used third-party application whose developer has kept the program in a state where it has followed ArenaNet’s guidelines to be considered acceptable. Flames of the Mist has several members who utilize this program and will typically be able to provide combat logs and info during raids and fractals for members who would prefer to understand their performance without compromising their accounts. You will never be barred from events, runs, or raids for a refusal to utilize this program.
For those players that are interested in utilizing this program for their own benefit or to better understand their performance from raid logs, the tables below contain information as comprehensive as possible collected by the leadership of Flames of the Mist.
Ive come across a problem recently. Healing numbers are not showing up. They show up in the log but not in the UI. I get damage and barrier, but no heals. Ive updated and repaired everything. Still no good. I keep thinking I inadvertently set off some switch and cant figure it out. Any help would be appreciated.
May 6, 2020
Healing still does not show up in “Self Stat” Window after update.