Generally abbreviated as DoT, Damage over Time' refers to a 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], 
[Insect Swarm] (in humanoid 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 lesser DoT).
- Paladins (only Human/Dwarf/Draenei) with [Seal of Vengeance].
- Priests, especially Shadow 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], [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 are not subject to crit bonuses.
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.
- 07-11-2007 Blizzard announced that with the next major content patch DoT damage will be affected by resilience [1]