Initial & Ongoing & Stack
Initial Damage resolves instantly at the end of spending the Action Slots to activate an Over Time effect.
Ongoing: The number of Full Round Upkeeps the effect will recur. Ongoing will either be variable or non variable.
Variable ongoing looks like “Ongoing (v:8) // Ongoing for the next 1 to 8 upkeeps.
Non Variable ongoing looks like “Ongoing 4” // Ongoing for the next 4 upkeeps.
Stack: Stacking effects stack up to the number next to it. “Stack 3” Can be stacked 3 times. There is no variable stack.
Example:
Damage: (Strength) Initial, Ongoing (v:4) Stacks 3
In this example the ability does strength damage when activated and lasts up to 4 Full Rounds. It can have up to 3 stacks active on a Target/Victim at a time.