Gouge | |
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Properties | |
Class | Rogue |
School | Physical |
Cooldown | 10 sec |
Other information | |
Requirements | Target must be facing you. |
Improvements | Improved Gouge |
Related debuff | |
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[[Category:rogue abilities]][[Category:rogue abilities]]
- "Every being has vulnerable spots; Make it your business to know them all."
—The Assassin's Creed, Chapter 2[1]
Gouge is a useful Rogue ability that causes damage, adds a combo point and incapacitates the target for a short period of time. Gouge costs 45 Energy and can first be acquired at level 6. Once a successful Gouge has been made, any damage will negate its incapacitation effect. Note that using Gouge will turn off auto attacks.
Rank table
Rank | Level | Cost |
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1 | 6 | 1 |
Damage
Damage caused by Gouge is calculated as follows:
- Damage = (Attack Power * 0.21) + 1
Example
A rogue with Gouge having 1000 attack power will inflict:
- (1000 * 0.21) + 1 = 211 damage.
Notes
- Gouge's short stun is the main reason for using the ability, allowing one to get into position for utilizing [Backstab], performing a quick bandage, or getting a few seconds to distance yourself and get out of combat.
- Gouge's effect breaks upon receiving damage; this means that it does not work well with [Garrote] or [Rupture], or in group combat unless well-coordinated. However, in all situations Gouge is useful as an interrupt. If [Kick] is on cooldown, Gouge can be used just for the purpose of interrupting a spellcast.
- Without [Improved Gouge] using this to *only* recover energy is not viable, since the effect lasts 4 seconds and the ability costs 45 energy. Rogues regenerate 10 energy per second, so you end up -5 energy less than you started with. With [Improved Gouge] the effect will last for 5.5 seconds, which means that you regenerate 55 energy, ending up with a net gain of 10 more energy. having the combat talent [Vitality] will increase the energy regained, upto a maximum of 50 energy (without improved gouge) and 68.75 energy with improve gouge, or even more if the target is only melee, the player can step a distance away meaning in the time it takes to get close enough to attack, the rogue will have more energy.
Talent improvement
The only talent that specifically improves Gouge is [Improved Gouge]. Some other Rogue talents do improve Gouge, however.
- [Improved Gouge] increases the duration of Gouge by X seconds.
- [Lethality] increases the critical strike damage bonus of your Gouge by X%.
- [Blade Twisting] gives your Gouge an X% chance to daze your target for 8 seconds.
- [Surprise Attacks] increases the damage of Gouge by X%.
Tips and tactics
- [Backstab] is a great skill for dealing burst damage, but you must be behind the Mob to use it. Gouge first, then move behind the mob to enable you to [Backstab]. You've got two combo points off the bat! (And if you are Seal Fate/Vigor spec and it crits, you'll have three combo points!)
- Gouge gives you an opportunity to apply a bandage, recover energy, or plan a quick escape. Also note that during those 4-5.5 seconds one can recover up to 40-60 energy, so it can be seen as a free combo point anyway.
- Facing multiple enemies can be quite difficult. Simply gouge one. This will give you time to finish one of them. This will greatly reduce the amount of incoming damage.
- In PvP, [Improved Gouge] gives you a good chance (barring diminishing returns) to leave combat and re-enter stealth without using vanish, and gives you more time to recover energy.
- In end-game raiding, Gouge has proven useful in interrupting caster enemies if they are immune to stunning with [Cheap Shot] or silencing with [Kick]. It may be expensive energy wise, but it will at least buy time and prevent extra damage to your fellow raid members.
Patch changes
- Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Gouge is now only 1 rank and causes damage based on attack power.
- Patch 1.4.0 (2005-04-19): If using Gouge triggers the [Stormshroud Armor] lightning effect, the Gouge effect will no longer be instantly interrupted.
References
- ^ TCG Heroes of Azeroth, #99
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