damager

Damager is a noun that denotes an agent that causes damage to a person, object, or system. The term can refer to a person who harms others, a physical or chemical agent that degrades or destroys materials, or an abstract cause of harm in processes and events. The scope ranges from everyday injuries to structural damage, ecological harm, or digital damage.

In video games and role-playing contexts, damager, often called damage dealer (DPS), designates a character, class, or ability whose primary function is to inflict damage on enemies. Damagers typically prioritize offensive power and may have weaker defensive capabilities, relying on resources, timing, and positioning to maximize output. Their effectiveness is measured by damage per second, burst damage, or kill potential, and they are balanced against tanks and support roles.

In science and engineering, the term damager is less common; professionals instead discuss damage mechanisms, damage models, or damaging agents. These concepts describe how materials fail or degrade under stress, corrosion, wear, radiation, or impact, and they are used in risk assessment and design to mitigate harm.

In legal or incident reporting, "damager" may appear informally to describe the party responsible for damage, though more precise terms such as "causer of damage" or "wrongdoer" are preferred.