We are currently in the processing of bringing this to 100% working functionality. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Find out more in the Community Portal.
Damage over time
Damage over time (often refered to as DoT) is a damage inflicted continuously over a period of time. Unlike the other three damage sources, damage over time does not hit.[1]
Mechanics
All damage over time effects are a kind of debuff. A creature can have multiple applications of these debuffs of the same type but usually only the one with the highest damage per second works at any given time (except for poison where all applications stack cumulatively); this is true even in the case of effects applied by different players or sources.
For example, if two players each apply the ignite status ailment to the same target, only the higher damage per second of the two ignites will affect the target, at least until the higher fades and leaves the second ignite to become the new highest. In this context, two damage over time effects are to be considered the same only if they have the same name; a target may be affected by multiple effects that deal burning damage (such as 
Righteous FireRighteous FireSpell, AoE, Fire
Level: (1-20)
Cooldown Time: 0.30 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
Radius: 18Requires Level 16Engulfs you in magical fire that rapidly burns you and nearby enemies. Your spell damage is substantially increased while under this effect. The effect ends when you have 1 life remaining.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Burning Damage0.5% increased Area of EffectBuff Grants 1% increased Spell DamageGrants (20-39)% more Spell Damage
Deals 20% of your Maximum Life as Base Fire Damage per second
You Burn for 90% of your Maximum Life per second as Fire Damage
Deals 20% of your Maximum Energy Shield as Base Fire Damage per second
You Burn for 70% of your Maximum Energy Shield per second as Fire Damage
Deals (35.8-1541.8) Base Fire Damage per second
+(0-5) to radiusPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
, ignite and burning ground).
On kill effects
In case of an enemy being killed by damage over time while being affected by multiple DoT effects, the kill is attributed to the owner of the effect that was inflicted first.[2]
Damage over time kills from non-character sources like minions and totems will give the kill and any on kill effects to the owner of the totem or minion. This is a limitation of the game and not an intended game mechanic.[3]
Damage scaling
The following modifiers will directly affect the damage over time;[4][5] note that some of these modifiers apply only to the DoTs whereas some may also apply to the skill that triggered it:
- Damage over Time
- Damage
- [Damage Type] Damage (e.g. Physical Damage or Cold Damage)
- [Effect] Damage (e.g. Poison Damage or Ignite Damage)
- Trap Damage if applied by a trap
- Mine Damage if applied by a mine
- Totem Damage if applied by a totem
- Minion Damage if applied by a minion
Natively modifiers to attack damage (i.e. weapon damage, melee damage, etc.) and spell damage do not apply to damage over time effects unless specifically stated so, as observed on skills like 
ContagionContagionSpell, AoE, Duration, Chaos
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-20) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Radius: 20Unleashes a vile contagion on enemies, dealing chaos damage over time. If an enemy dies while affected by Contagion, it spreads to other enemies.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent0.5% increased Area of Effect3% increased Chaos Damage3% chance to Spread when affected Enemy is HitDeals (3.5-235.9) Base Chaos Damage per second
Base duration is 5 seconds
Modifiers to Spell Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
, 
Essence DrainEssence DrainSpell, Projectile, Duration, Chaos, AoE
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (8-23) Mana
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 60%Requires Level 12Fires a projectile that applies a damage over time debuff when it hits. You are healed for a portion of the debuff damage. The debuff is spread by Contagion.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Chaos DamageRegenerate 0.01% of Debuff Damage as Life5% increased Damage with HitsDeals (31.2-1503.2) Base Chaos Damage per second
Regenerate 0.5% of Debuff Damage as Life
Base duration is 3.8 seconds
Deals (9-433) to (14-649) Chaos Damage
Modifiers to Spell Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
or 
VortexVortexSpell, AoE, Cold, Duration, Nova
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (11-20) Mana
Cooldown Time: 1.80 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Soul Gain Prevention: 0 sec
Cast Time: Instant
Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%Requires Level 28An icy blast explodes around the caster, dealing cold damage to enemies, and leaving behind a whirling vortex which deals cold damage over time and chills enemies caught in it. If the caster targets near their Frostbolt projectiles, it will explode from a number of those projectiles instead, destroying them.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4Phantasmal0.5% increased Area of Effect1% increased Cold Damage1% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
1% less Skill Effect Duration2% increased Damage when Cast on FrostboltDeals (38-524) to (57-787) Cold Damage
Base duration is 3 seconds
Deals (106.5-1456.9) Base Cold Damage per second
Can explode from up to 5 Frostbolt Projectiles
20% less Area of Effect when Cast on Frostbolt
Modifiers to Spell Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effect
(0-76)% increased Cooldown Recovery RatePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
.
Damage conversion does not apply to damage over time.[6] Flat damage from things like 
Added Chaos Damage SupportAdded Chaos Damage SupportChaos, Support
Icon: H
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 31Supports any skill that hits enemies.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills deal 0.5% increased Chaos DamageSupported Skills Penetrate 0.25% Chaos ResistanceSupported Skills have 1% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos DamageSupported Skills have (17-170) to (26-255) added Chaos DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
does not apply to damage over time.
Modifiers that increase damage over time will not affect the damage a character deals to himself with skills like 
Blood RageBlood RageSpell, Duration, Physical
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (12-29) Life
Cooldown Time: 1.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: InstantRequires Level 16Adds a buff that deals Physical Damage over time, while increasing Attack Speed and Life Leech. Killing an enemy while this buff is active refreshes the buff duration, and can grant a Frenzy Charge.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent0.25% increased Attack SpeedBuff grants 0.1% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge when you Hit a Unique EnemyBuff grants 0.02% of Elemental Attack Damage leeched as Life(5-15)% increased Attack Speed
1.2% of Attack Physical Damage Leeched as Life
You take 4% of your Maximum Life per second as Physical Damage
You take 4% of your Maximum Energy Shield per second as Physical Damage
25% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Kill
Base duration is (7-10.8) secondsPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
or Righteous FireRighteous FireSpell, AoE, Fire
Level: (1-20)
Cooldown Time: 0.30 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
Radius: 18Requires Level 16Engulfs you in magical fire that rapidly burns you and nearby enemies. Your spell damage is substantially increased while under this effect. The effect ends when you have 1 life remaining.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Burning Damage0.5% increased Area of EffectBuff Grants 1% increased Spell DamageGrants (20-39)% more Spell Damage
Deals 20% of your Maximum Life as Base Fire Damage per second
You Burn for 90% of your Maximum Life per second as Fire Damage
Deals 20% of your Maximum Energy Shield as Base Fire Damage per second
You Burn for 70% of your Maximum Energy Shield per second as Fire Damage
Deals (35.8-1541.8) Base Fire Damage per second
+(0-5) to radiusPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket., as that particular effect is considered a part of the buff and not a part of player's damage output. However, modifiers that increase/reduce damage taken will affect it.
Duration
Tampering with the duration of a damage over time effect will affect the total amount of damage dealt by it but not its damage per second. The exception to this is the Ignited Enemies Burn faster modifier (as seen on Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Dyadian Dawn". and Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "The Goddess Scorned".), which will 'speed up' ignites inflicted by the player, increasing their damage per second at the cost of duration, leaving the total amount of damage unchanged.
Conditional modifiers
There are modifiers that can apply their effects only when a certain condition is met. Modifiers that are conditional on properties of the target do not affect damage over time because only hits are able to check someone else properties.[7][8]
Some examples:
- more Damage against Chilled Enemies from
Hypothermia SupportHypothermia SupportCold, Support
Icon: D
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 140%Requires Level 31Supports any skill that deals damage.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills have 1.5% increased Chill Duration on EnemiesSupported Skills have +1% chance to Freeze Enemies which are ChilledEnemies Frozen by Supported Skills have -0.2% to Cold ResistanceSupported Skills deal (20-29)% more Damage with Hits and Ailments against Chilled Enemies
Supported Skills have +20% chance to Freeze Enemies which are Chilled
Supported Skills deal (20-39)% more Cold Damage Over TimeThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
- increased Damage against Hindered Enemies from Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Singularity".
Graphic Clarification
Visual clarification by Mark (a developer at GGG) for the changes coming with 3.0.
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1897612/page/4#p14474050
Math
- Modifiers that say increased damage over time multiplier are not additive with increased damage over time modifiers that do no include the word "multiplier".[9]
Interactions
- "% Chance to deal double damage" will not affect damage over time, because it does not hit.
- Most damage over time snapshots.
Comparison of common damage over time effects
| Name | Inflicting hit damage as DPS | Default duration | Total bonus damage per stack | Max. stacks | DPS at max. stacks | Total bonus damage from max. stacks | Default DoT damage type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bleed | 70% of Physical | 5 s | 350% | 1 | 70% | 350% | Physical |
| Bleed, target moving | 210% of Physical | 5 s | 1050% | 1 | 210% | 1050% | Physical |
| Bleed, with Crimson Dance | 35% of Physical | 5 s | 175% | 8 | 280% | 1400% | Physical |
| Ignite | 50% of Fire | 4 s | 200% | 1 | 50% | 200% | Fire |
| Ignite, 1 Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Emberwake".[10] | 30.30%–33.3% of Fire | 6–6.6 s | 200% | 2 | 60.6%–66.7% | 400% | Fire |
| Ignite, 2 Emberwakes[10] | 21.7%–25% of Fire | 8–9.2 s | 200% | 3 | 65.2–75% | 600% | Fire |
| Ignite, 1 Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Replica Emberwake".[10][11] | 67.5%–72.5% of Fire | 2.7–2.9 s | 200% | 1 | 67.5–72.5% | 200% | Fire |
| Ignite, 2 Replica Emberwakes[10][11] | 85%–95% of Fire | 2.1–2.4 s | 200% | 1 | 85%–95% | 200% | Fire |
| Ignite, 1 Emberwake, 1 Replica Emberwake[10][11] | 40.9%–48.3% of Fire | 4.1–4.8 s | 200% | 2 | 81.8%–96.7% | 400% | Fire |
| Poison | 20% of Physical + Chaos | 2 s | 40% | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | Chaos |
Poison from  Viper StrikeViper StrikeAttack, Duration, Melee, Strike, ChaosLevel: (1-20) Cost: 5 Mana Attack Damage: (90-135)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (90-135)%Hits enemies, adding some of your physical damage as chaos damage and inflicting poison which will be affected by modifiers to skill duration. If dual wielding, will strike with both weapons. Requires a claw, dagger or sword.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4Phantasmal0.5% increased Attack Speed 0.5% increased Poison Duration1% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage1% increased Chaos Damage0.5% chance to also Poison a nearby Enemy when you inflict PoisonDeals (90-135)% of Base Attack Damage 60% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage 60% chance to Poison on Hit Base duration is 4 seconds (5-169) to (7-254) Added Chaos Damage Each Weapon Hits separately if Dual Wielding, dealing 20% less Damage 30% Less Attack Speed if Dual Wielding +(0-2) to Melee Strike RangePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.  
|
20% of Physical + Chaos | 4 s | 80% | ∞ | ∞ | ∞ | Chaos |
Active skill gems
Related base stats
| Skill gem |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Caustic ArrowCaustic ArrowAttack, Projectile, AoE, Duration, Chaos, BowLevel: (1-20) Cost: (6-10) Mana Attack Damage: (55-64)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (55-64)% Projectile Speed: 3260 Radius: 20Fires an arrow which deals chaos damage in an area on impact, and spreads caustic ground. Enemies standing on the caustic ground take chaos damage over time.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent0.5% increased Area of Effect1% chance to inflict Withered for 2 seconds on Hit1% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos DamageDeals (55-64.4)% of Base Attack Damage Base duration is 2 seconds Deals (8.8-1927.1) Base Chaos Damage per second 60% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage Modifiers to Projectile Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effect +(0-6) to radiusPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.   |  | | | 1 |
Related quality stats
| Skill gem | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caustic ArrowCaustic ArrowAttack, Projectile, AoE, Duration, Chaos, Bow Level: (1-20) Cost: (6-10) Mana Attack Damage: (55-64)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (55-64)% Projectile Speed: 3260 Radius: 20Fires an arrow which deals chaos damage in an area on impact, and spreads caustic ground. Enemies standing on the caustic ground take chaos damage over time.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent0.5% increased Area of Effect1% chance to inflict Withered for 2 seconds on Hit1% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos DamageDeals (55-64.4)% of Base Attack Damage Base duration is 2 seconds Deals (8.8-1927.1) Base Chaos Damage per second 60% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage Modifiers to Projectile Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effect +(0-6) to radiusPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. | | | | 1 |
Other skills
Summon Chaos GolemSummon Chaos GolemMinion, Spell, Golem, Chaos
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (30-54) Mana
Cooldown Time: 6.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: 1.00 secRequires Level 34Summons a Chaos Golem that grants you Physical Damage Reduction. The Chaos Golem can use a damage over time Chaos aura and a cascade of Chaos spikes in addition to its melee attack.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent1% increased Minion Maximum Life
Minions deal 1% increased Damage1% increased Buff EffectSummoned Golems have 1% increased Cooldown Recovery RateMaximum 1 Summoned Golem
Golems grant (3-4)% additional Physical Damage Reduction
(30-68)% increased Minion Maximum Life
(0-10)% increased Character SizePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
can cast an aura that deals damage over time as well.
In addition, many skills are capable of applying damage over time effects through ignite, poison and bleed:
- ignite - requires fire damage (e.x. through damage conversion or
Added Fire Damage SupportAdded Fire Damage SupportFire, Physical, Support
Icon: F
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 120%Requires Level 8Supports any skill that hits enemies.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills deal 0.5% increased Fire DamageSupported Skills deal 1% reduced Fire Damage
Supported Skills have +1% to Fire Damage over Time MultiplierSupported Skills have 1% of Physical Damage Converted to Fire DamageSupported Skills gain (25-44)% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
) as well as chance to ignite (e.x. 
Combustion SupportCombustion SupportFire, Support
Icon: i
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 120%Requires Level 8Supports any skill that hits enemies.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills deal 0.5% increased Fire DamageIgnites from Supported Skills deal Damage 0.25% fasterIgnites from Supported Skills deal Damage 0.5% slower
Supported Skills deal 1% increased Fire DamageSupported Skills have (30-49)% chance to Ignite
Supported Skills deal (10-29)% more Fire Damage
Enemies Ignited by Supported Skills have -(10-19)% to Fire ResistanceThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
) or a critical strike - poison - requires physical damage and/or chaos damage as well as chance to poison (e.x.
Critical Strike Affliction SupportCritical Strike Affliction SupportChaos, Support
Icon: o
Level: (1-20)
Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 135%Requires Level 31Supports any skill that hits enemies.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3DivergentSupported Skills deal 0.5% increased Damage with PoisonSupported Skills have 1% chance to Poison on HitPoisons from Supported Skills deal Damage 0.5% fasterSupported Skills have 60% chance to Poison on Hit
Supported Skills deal (20-39)% more Damage with PoisonThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
) - bleed - requires physical damage and a chance to bleed (e.x.
PuncturePunctureAttack, Projectile, Duration, Melee, Strike, Physical, Bow
Level: (1-20)
Cost: 6 Mana
Attack Speed: 70% of base
Attack Damage: (134-164)% of base
Effectiveness of Added Damage: (135-165)%Punctures enemies, causing a bleeding debuff, which will be affected by modifiers to skill duration. Puncture works with bows, daggers, claws or swords.Per 1% Quality:1Superior2Anomalous3Divergent4PhantasmalBleeding inflicted by this Skill deals Damage 0.5% fasterProjectiles Pierce 0.1 additional TargetsMelee Strikes target 0.1 additional nearby Enemies0.5% chance to Maim on HitDeals (134.74-164.56)% of Base Attack Damage
Base duration is 8 seconds
(3-75) to (4-113) Added Attack Physical Damage
(30-49)% more Damage with Bleeding
Causes Bleeding
+(0-2) to Melee Strike RangePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
)
Attacks made with weapons crafted with an Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Essence of Delirium". will inflict decay, dealing chaos damage over time.
Support skill gems
Related base stats
There are currently no support skill gems that have stats related to damage over time.
Related quality stats
There are currently no support skill gems that have quality stats related to damage over time.
Base items
The following base items are related to damage over time:
| Item | | Stats |
|---|
Unique items
| Item | Base Item | | Stats |
|---|
Passive skills
Damage over Time
No results found for the given query.
Ascendancy passives
No results found for the given query.
Cluster jewel passives
The following cluster jewel-only passives are related to damage over time: No results found for the given query.
Version history
| Version | Changes |
|---|---|
| 1.0.2 |
|
References
- ↑ Mark_GGG (February 21, 2016). "GGG, can we get some answers on Conversion please?". Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (February 18, 2014). "Multiple DoTs and IIR/IIQ gems". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ↑ Community_Team (May 18, 2021). "Game Mechanics Q&A Answers". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (August 4, 2014). "Minion damage + ignite double scale?". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ↑ Bex_GGG (May 4, 2017). "Damage over Time changes: More Information". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ↑ Qarl (November 29, 2013). "1.0.2 Patch Notes". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved December 27, 2015.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (October 9, 2015). "Poison Arrow's DoT + AA + Hypothermia works?". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (June 9, 2016). "Mechanical Questions Thread". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ↑ Scscorpin (January 17, 2019). "Are the new damage over time multipliers considered as "increased," "more," or something else entirely?". Reddit. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 The exact value for these ranges depends on the rolls of the Module Error: No results found. (for Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Emberwake".) and Module Error: No results found. (for Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Replica Emberwake".) mods.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The values for duration, total bonus damage, and total bonus damage from max. stats do not take the Module Error: No results found. explicit modifier from Module Error: Item link: No results found for search parameter "Replica Emberwake". into account.