User blog comment:TheTobarMethod/Your Thoughts: DOT vs Burst/DPS/@comment-4636093-20130427162238

I'll always like DoTs. Think of Darius, if his enemy is doing equal damage to him, then when one of them disengages they will be left with about equal health, but the enemy will also have a bleed going on them. And if they're doing MORE upfront damage than him, then even though they win trades they will be left with about equal health in the long run.

DoTs are a little bit extra to help make sure that even though you lost a trade, you're not too far behind for the next one.