"Every being has vulnerable spots; Make it your business to know them all." —The Assassin's Creed, Chapter 2[1]
Gouge is a rogue class talent that incapacitates the target for a short period of time. Once a successful Gouge has been made, any damage will negate its incapacitation effect. Note that using Gouge will automatically turn off auto attacks.
Gouge's short incapacitate is the main reason for using the ability, allowing one to perform 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 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.
Gouge gives you an opportunity to apply a bandage, recover energy, or plan a quick escape. Also note that during those 4 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 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 10.0.0 (2022-10-25): Now a row 3 class talent (was a level 46 Outlaw ability).
Patch 9.0.1 (2020-10-13): Now learned at level 46 (was 34).
Patch 8.0.1 (2018-07-17): Now requires you to be in front of your target.
Patch 7.1.0 (2016-10-25): Now learned at level 34 (was 22).
Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Now available only to Outlaw and awards 1 combo point. No longer requires the target to face the rogue.
Patch 5.0.4 (2012-08-28): No longer causes damage. Now learned at level 22 (was 6).
Hotfix (2011-02-11):Gouge is now breaking properly from spell and ability damage.
Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Gouge is now only 1 rank and causes damage based on attack power.
Patch 2.1.0 (2007-05-22): This ability will no longer trigger poisons (and thus break itself).
[Elusiveness]/
[Cheat Death]
[Dirty Tricks]
[Kick] is on cooldown, Gouge can be used just for the purpose of interrupting a spellcast.
