Dots are the means by which nearly all trait ratings are represented in Storyteller (WoD) and Storytelling (CofD) system games.
Rather than using numbers like most roleplaying games, White Wolf games rate traits using dots. Nearly all traits are rated from 1 to 5, though some may rise as high as 10 or more; in either case, the trait is represented on the character sheet by a number of circles, which are filled in from left to right.
For example, a trait with a maximum of 5 dots whose current rating was 3 would be represented on a character sheet like this:
Dots are easy to understand (as they resemble the star rating systems used for movie reviews or hotel ratings) and practical to use (they remove the need to erase old information when improving a character's traits).