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], 
[Rake] and [Pounce] (in [Cat Form]), [Lacerate] (in [Bear Form]). - Hunters with [Serpent Sting], [Immolation Trap] and [Explosive Trap] as Area of Effect DoT.
- Mages with [Fireball] or [Pyroblast] (although these are primarily DD spells, they also add a small DoT even when offspec), If specced, Fire spells criticals will put on the enemy a dot through Ignite talent which deals 8-40% of the damage done for 4 seconds.
- Paladins using [Seal of Vengeance], and Consecrate in a way.
- Priests with [Shadow Word: Pain], [Vampiric Touch], [Devouring Plague] (undeads only), [Starshards] (Night Elves only).
- 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], [Seed of Corruption] or [Unstable Affliction].
- Warriors with [Rend], also if specced, their melee criticals will apply a Deep Wound that deals 60% of weapon damage.
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 (like HoTs) cannot crit; they receive no bonuses from critical chance.
Tips
- Rogues and Cat Form druids 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.