Gaming
dot
What does dot mean?
An effect you slap on a target that drains their health in repeated ticks instead of one big hit. Stack a few and the enemy melts while you do something else.
"Get your DoTs rolling before you start nuking — no point standing there if Corruption isn't even ticking."
Origin
MMO/RPG shorthand for 'damage over time', standardised by World of Warcraft and EverQuest spell mechanics.
Frequently asked questions
What's the opposite of a DoT?
Burst damage — one big hit instead of slow ticks. Some classes are DoT-heavy, others are all burst.
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