Gouge

Gouge
Gouge (6 ranks) Rogue ability 5 yd range 45 Energy 10 sec cooldown Instant Causes X damage, incapacitating the opponent for 4 sec, and turns off your attack. Target must be facing you. Any damage caused will revive the target. Awards 1 combo point.
Properties
Class	Rogue
School	Physical
Cooldown	10 sec
Other information
Requirements	Target must be facing you.
Improvements	Improved Gouge
Related debuff
Gouge Incapacitated. Duration: 4 sec

[[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

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	Damage	Level	Cost
1	10	6	1
2	20	18	29
3	32	32	1 20
4	55	46	2 79
5	75	60	4 86
6	105	67	8 91

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.

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.