Damage over Time

Damage over Time, generally abbreviated as DoT and most frequently simply as dot, refers to inflicting some damage on one's foe which will be applied at a regular interval for a limited duration. Typically in World of Warcraft the damage is applied every X seconds, where X varies from one DoT to the next. A DoT may be applied using a variety of methods - from a spell, a trap, a weapon, a poison or some other form. Most DoTs are target specific, but some are also used as Area of Effect (AoE) attacks.

The Warlock is the most well-known class for using DoT type attacks with their spells, probably followed by the Rogue who can either use poisons or inflict lasting wounds with their special attacks.

See also: Area of Effect, Buff, DD, Debuff, Healing, HoT, Utility

Examples

• Druids with Moonfire and Insect Swarm (in generic caster or Moonkin form), Rip and Rake (in Cat Form), Lacerate (in Bear Form).
• Hunters with Serpent Sting.
• Mages with Fireball or Pyroblast (although these are primarily DD spells, they also add a small DoT even when offspec).
• Paladins (Alliance only) using Seal of Vengeance, and Consecrate in a way.
• Priests with Shadow Word: Pain.
• Rogues with Deadly Poison, Garrote or Rupture.
• Shamans with Flame Shock (a DD spell with DoT). Magma and Searing Totems may also be considered DoT (or AoE).
• Warlocks with Immolate, Corruption, Curse of Agony, Curse of Doom, Siphon Life, or Unstable Affliction.
• Warriors with Rend.

Limitations

• Most spell-based or poison-based DoTs can be cured by potions or spells.
• Most methods of Crowd Control are broken if the target has a DoT on them.
• Damage over time effects cannot crit, they receive no bonuses from critical chance.

Tips

• Rogues who stealth while a DoT is still on them will come out of stealth when the next tick of damage is inflicted.
• First Aid will be interrupted by a DoT.

Notes

• This term is often referred to as periodic damage by Blizzard.