Gouge

Gouge
	Gouge; Row 2 rogue talent; Melee range; 25 Energy; 25 sec cooldown; Instant; Requires Melee Weapon; Gouges the eyes of an enemy target, incapacitating for 4 sec. Damage will interrupt the effect.; ; Must be in front of your target.; ; Awards 1 combo point.;
Properties
Class	Rogue
School	Physical
Cooldown	25 seconds
Talents
Talent required	[Blind]
Other information
Improvements	[Dirty Tricks]
Related debuff
	; Gouge ; Incapacitated. ; Duration: 4 seconds ;

For the dragon turtle, see Gouge (dragon turtle).

"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.

It is an exclusive choice node with [Airborne Irritant].

Tips and tactics

Using Gouge will turn off your auto attack.
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 11.0.2 (2024-08-13):
- Cooldown has been increased to 25 seconds (was 20 seconds).
- Now lasts 3 seconds in PvP combat (was 4 seconds).
Patch 10.2.0 (2023-11-07): Moved to row 2 (was row 3) and is now a choice node with [Airborne Irritant].
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).
Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): The fire damage from the [Blazefury Medallion] and the [Gutgore Ripper]'s effect should no longer immediately break Gouge.
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.
Patch 0.6 (2004-04-13): Now cancels combat if it succeeds.

Gouge
Gouge Row 2 rogue talent Melee range 25 Energy 25 sec cooldown Instant Requires Melee Weapon Gouges the eyes of an enemy target, incapacitating for 4 sec. Damage will interrupt the effect. Must be in front of your target. Awards 1 combo point.
Properties
Class	Rogue
School	Physical
Cooldown	25 seconds
Talents
Talent required	[Blind]
Other information
Improvements	[Dirty Tricks]
Related debuff
Gouge Incapacitated. Duration: 4 seconds