Gouge

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.

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.

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.