Point Blank Area of Effect

A slang term for "Point Blank Area of Effect", usually referring to a skill or spell that affects anything within a short radius around the caster, and may contain a Damage Over Time component. The presence of a Damage Over Time component forms a Pulsing Point Blank Area of Effect skill, while an absence of a DoT is simply a "Point Blank Area of Effect" skill (or some players may call it a PBAoE Direct damage). Generally, PBAoE spells with a DoT attached will do much higher damage then PBAoEDD, due to the difficulty of doing the full duration of damage.

Pulsing Point Blank Area of Effect or PPBAoE (or PBAoE DoT).
Examples include Symbol of Wrath and Lava Font. After casting these skills, the effect will remain at the location cast, regardless of the caster's position. In PvE, since the 2005/11/10 update, henchmen and most creatures flee from AoE skills that do damage over time, but generally take 2-3 seconds of damage before fleeing.

Point Blank Area of Effect Direct Damage or PBAoEDD.
Examples include Inferno and Signet of Agony. These skills will instantly do their damage to nearby foes, and not cause foes to flee like Lava Font.

Pulsing Point Blank Area of Effect Enchantments.
Example: Balthazar's Aura. These skills will place an enchantment on a target ally which will give them a pulsing PBAoE Direct damage effect that will change locations as the ally moves. These abilities still cause foes to flee like other Pulsing Point Blank AoEs.