Overcast
By profession
By game mechanic
- Energy cost
- Activation time
- Recharge time
- Skill target
- Skill range
- Skill AoE
- Adrenaline skills
- Upkeep skills
- Sacrifice skills
- Overcast skills
By acquisition
By Elite acquisition
By installation
“Some skills cause Overcast, which temporarily lowers your maximum amount of available Energy. Each time you cast a spell that causes Overcast, you will see a gray bar appear at the end of your Energy bar. This bar shows how much your maximum Energy has decreased. Continual use of spells that cause Overcast can result in losing most, if not all, of your potential Energy pool. After a short time, you will see your Energy bar begin to recover a point of Energy at a time until it returns back to normal. There are also skills which gain bonus effects when you are Overcast. Careful management of your level of Overcast with these skills can improve your effectiveness. Be warned: some foes have skills that make all of your spells cause Overcast for a short period of time.
“Later you will learn more powerful spells that cause Overcast. Overcast temporarily lowers your maximum amount of available Energy. Each time you cast a spell that causes Overcast, you will see a gray bar appear at the end of your Energy Bar. This bar shows how much your maximum Energy has decreased. Continual use of spells that cause Overcast can result in losing most, if not all, of your potential Energy pool. After a short time, you will see your Energy Bar begin to recover one point of Energy at a time until it returns back to normal. There are also some spells which gain bonus effects if you cast them when you are Overcast. Look out for these skills in your travels as they can be quite powerful when paired with a corresponding spell which causes Overcast.
— Nalah, Expert Elementalist
Overcast is a resource cost required by some elementalist skills and by some effects (usually triggered by skill usage). It is the energy equivalent of a Deep Wound, reducing your maximum energy by a fixed amount (3, 5 or 10), and is cumulative with prior overcast. Overcast is displayed as grey on your energy bar, and dissipates over time at the rate of 1 maximum energy regained every 3 seconds.
Repeated use of skills that cause overcast can reduce your maximum energy below zero.
Prior to the September 13, 2012 update, overcast was called "exhaustion". Although most occurrences of the word have since been replaced, the word is still used in the name of one skill and two effects that cause overcast: Exhausting Assault, Aspect of Exhaustion and Sheer Exhaustion. Skill icons can also reflect this, with characters lying on the ground for skills such as Arcane Languor and Equinox.
Game mechanics[edit]
- Overcast has no effect on your available energy unless your post-overcast maximum energy is less than your current energy.
- For example, if your base energy is 30, Shocking an opponent drops your available energy to 20, while using some other 5 energy skill would reduce it to 25.
- In contrast, after a weapon swap, your available energy can change.
- Overcast can only be reduced by waiting it out; it persists even after death. It can be removed entirely by zoning.
- Whether dead or alive, your maximum energy restores at the same rate of 1 energy per 3 seconds, which means it takes 30 seconds to completely eliminate the impact of 10 points of overcast.
- Unlike Deep Wound, Overcast is not a condition; it does not trigger skills depending on conditions and cannot be removed by generic condition removal skills.
Skills with an overcast cost[edit]
Devourer Siege and certain elementalist skills overcast the user. The effect is triggered at the start of activation, so the user is overcast even if the skill is canceled or interrupted.
Icon | Name | Description | Prof. | Attribute | Campaign | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Breath of Fire | Spell. Deals 10...34...40 fire damage each second (5 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to target's initial location. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 10 | Fire Magic | Factions | |||
Chain Lightning | Spell. Deals 10...70...85 lightning damage. Also hits two foes near your target. 25% armor penetration. | 5 | 10 | 2 | 6 | Air Magic | Prophecies | |||
Devourer Siege | Skill. Two projectiles: deal 150 fire damage; causes knock-down. Hits foes near target. Cannot target foes near you. | 10 | 5 | ¾ | 10 | Eye of the North | ||||
Dragon's Stomp | Spell. Deals 26...85...100 earth damage. Causes knock-down. Also hits foes near this foe. | 10 | 25 | 3 | 15 | Earth Magic | Factions | |||
Earthquake | Spell. Deals 26...85...100 earth damage. Also hits foes near target. Causes knock-down. | 10 | 25 | 3 | 15 | Earth Magic | Prophecies | |||
Ether Prodigy | Elite Enchantment Spell. (8...18...20 seconds.) You have +6 Energy regeneration. End effect: lose 2 Health for each point of Energy you have. Lose all enchantments. | 10 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Energy Storage | Prophecies | |||
Gale | Spell. Causes knock-down. 50% failure chance unless Air Magic 5 or more. | 10 | 10 | 1 | 5 | Air Magic | Core | |||
Icy Prism | Spell. Deals 15...63...75 cold damage. Deals +[sic]15...63...75 cold damage to other nearby foes if target has a Water Magic hex. | 5 | 10 | 1 | 5 | Water Magic | Factions | |||
Incendiary Bonds | Hex Spell. (3 seconds.) End effect: deals 20...68...80 fire damage and inflicts Burning condition (1...3...3 second[s]) to foes near your target. Also triggers if foe dies. | 5 | 10 | 1 | 7 | Fire Magic | Prophecies | |||
Invoke Lightning | Elite Spell. Deals 10...74...90 lightning damage. Hits two foes near target. 25% armor penetration. | 5 | 10 | 1 | 6 | Air Magic | Nightfall | |||
Maelstrom | Spell. Deals 10...22...25 cold damage and interrupts spells each second (10 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to target's initial location. | 10 | 25 | 2 | 30 | Water Magic | Core | |||
Meteor | Spell. Deals 7...91...112 fire damage and causes knock-down. Also hits foes adjacent to target foe. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 30 | Fire Magic | Core | |||
Meteor Shower | Spell. Deals 7...91...112 fire damage and causes knock-down every 3 seconds (9 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to target's initial location. | 10 | 25 | 5 | 60 | Fire Magic | Prophecies | |||
Mind Burn | Elite Spell. Deals 15...51...60 fire damage. If you have more energy than target foe, deals 15...51...60 more fire damage and inflicts Burning (1...8...10 second[s]). Also hits adjacent foes. | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Fire Magic | Core | |||
Mind Freeze | Elite Hex Spell. Deals 10...50...60 cold damage. If you have more Energy than target foe, deals +10...50...60 cold damage and causes 90% slower movement (1...4...5 second[s]). | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Water Magic | Core | |||
Mind Freeze (PvP) | Elite Hex Spell. Deals 10...34...40 cold damage. If you have more Energy than target foe, deals +10...34...40 cold damage and causes 90% slower movement (1...4...5 second[s]). | 5 | 10 | 1 | 5 | Water Magic | Core | |||
Mind Shock | Elite Spell. Deals 10...42...50 lightning damage. If you have more Energy than target foe, deals +10...42...50 lightning damage and causes knockdown. 25% armor penetration. | 5 | 5 | 1 | 8 | Air Magic | Prophecies | |||
Mind Shock (PvP) | Elite Spell. Deals 10...42...50 lightning damage. If you have more Energy than target foe, deals +10...42...50 lightning damage and causes knockdown. 25% armor penetration. | 10 | 5 | 1 | 8 | Air Magic | Prophecies | |||
Obsidian Flame | Spell. Deals 22...94...112 damage. | 5 | 5 | 1½ | 5 | Earth Magic | Core | |||
Obsidian Flame (PvP) | Spell. Deals 22...78...92 damage. | 5 | 5 | 1½ | 5 | Earth Magic | Core | |||
Ride the Lightning | Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. | 5 | 10 | 1 | 5 | Air Magic | Factions | |||
Ride the Lightning (PvP) | Elite Spell. Deals 10...58...70 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Blinds all adjacent foes (1...4...5 second[s]). You instantly move to your target. May target allies. | 5 | 15 | 1 | 10 | Air Magic | Factions | |||
Second Wind | Elite Spell. You gain 1 Energy and 5 Health for each point of Overcast. You lose all enchantments. | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Factions | ||||
Shock | Touch Skill. Deals 10...50...60 lightning damage. Causes knock-down. 25% armor penetration. | 10 | 5 | ¾ | 10 | Air Magic | Prophecies | |||
Vapor Blade | Spell. Deals 15...111...135 cold damage. Half damage if target foe is enchanted. | 5 | 10 | 1½ | 7 | Water Magic | Factions |
Related skills[edit]
Skills that cause or extend overcast on allies or foes[edit]
The following skills can indirectly cause overcast on allies or foes:
Icon | Name | Description | Prof. | Attribute | Campaign | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arcane Languor | Elite Hex Spell. (1...8...10 second[s].) Target foe's spells cause 10 Overcast. | 10 | 2 | 15 | Fast Casting | Factions | ||||
Crystal Haze | Hex Spell. (monster only) (30 seconds.) Also affects foes near target. Causes -1 Energy degeneration. Causes 10 Overcast whenever foes use an Energy skill. | 5 | 1 | Prophecies | ||||||
Equinox | Elite Nature Ritual. Creates a level 1...8...10 spirit (30...126...150 second lifespan). Overcast-causing spells cast within range cause an additional 10 Overcast. | 10 | 3 | 15 | Wilderness Survival | Factions | ||||
Exhausting Assault | Dual Attack. Interrupts an action. Inflicts 10 Overcast if the interrupted action was a spell. Must follow a lead attack. | 5 | ½ | 8 | Dagger Mastery | Factions | ||||
Iron Mist | Enchantment Spell. (8...14...15 seconds.) Gain +15 armor. Air Magic spells that target a foe activate and recharge 25% faster, but you are Overcast by 3 points. | 10 | 1 | 20 | Earth Magic | Prophecies | ||||
Over the Limit | Elite Enchantment Spell. Spells cast 15...19...20% faster and recharge 15...43...50% faster. Continuously gain Overcast while active. PvE Skill | -1 | 5 | 1 | 20 | Energy Storage | Core |
The following environment effects can directly or indirectly cause overcast:
- Aspect of Exhaustion inflicts 10 overcast every 30 seconds.
- Sheer Exhaustion causes all spells to inflict 10 overcast.
Overcast prevention[edit]
There is one skill that prevents Overcast entirely.
Icon | Name | Description | Attribute | Campaign | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Glyph of Energy | Elite Glyph. Your next 1...3...3 spell[s] do[es] not cause Overcast and cost[s] 10...22...25 less Energy. Gain 1...2...2 to all elemental attributes. | 5 | 1 | 25 | Energy Storage | Prophecies |
Skills that benefit from overcast[edit]
The following skills receive specific benefits when overcast is present:
Icon | Name | Description | Prof. | Attribute | Campaign | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arc Lightning | Spell. Deals 5...33...40 lightning damage. Deals 15...71...85 lightning damage to two nearby foes if you are Overcast. 25% armor penetration. | 5 | 1½ | 8 | Air Magic | Factions | ||||
Flare | Spell. Projectile: deals 20...56...65 fire damage. If Overcast, strikes adjacent. | 5 | 1 | Fire Magic | Core | |||||
Ice Spear | Enchantment Spell. Projectile: deals 10...50...60 cold damage. Gain +1...3...4 Health regeneration for 5 seconds if Overcast. | 5 | 1 | Water Magic | Core | |||||
Lava Font | Spell. Deals 5...41...50 fire damage each second (5 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to your initial location. If Overcast, range increased to nearby. | 10 | 1½ | 4 | Fire Magic | Prophecies | ||||
Lightning Strike | Hex Spell. Deals 5...41...50 lightning damage. 25% armor penetration. Hex for 3 seconds if Overcast. End effect: deals 5...41...50 lightning damage. | 5 | 1 | 5 | Air Magic | Core | ||||
Magnetic Aura | Enchantment Spell. (1...4...5 second[s].) Block the next attack against you and reflect 10...42...50 damage to the attacker. If you are Overcast, enchant party members in earshot. | 10 | 1 | 12 | Earth Magic | Prophecies | ||||
Magnetic Surge | Enchantment Spell. Deals 15...63...75 damage. If you are Overcast, allies in earshot are enchanted for 1...4...5 [sic] and block the next attack against them. | 10 | 1½ | 15 | Earth Magic | Eye of the North | ||||
Phoenix | Spell. Projectile: deals 10...50...60 fire damage to target and nearby foes. Heals allies for 20...68...80 if you are Overcast. | 10 | 1½ | 7 | Fire Magic | Prophecies | ||||
Rust | Hex Spell. Deals 10...58...70 cold damage to target and adjacent foes. Hexes target and adjacent foes (5...17...20 seconds). Doubles signet activation time. Interrupts and disables signets for 1...8...10 second[s] if you are Overcast. | 10 | 1 | 8 | Water Magic | Core | ||||
Second Wind | Elite Spell. You gain 1 Energy and 5 Health for each point of Overcast. You lose all enchantments. | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 | Factions | ||||
Shell Shock | Spell. Deals 10...26...30 lightning damage. Inflicts Cracked Armor condition (5...17...20 seconds). 25% armor penetration. If Overcast, strikes adjacent. | 5 | 1 | 8 | Air Magic | Eye of the North | ||||
Smoldering Embers | Hex Spell. Deals 10...58...70 fire damage to target. If you are Overcast, foe is hexed for 3 seconds, taking 5...21...25 fire damage each second. | 10 | 1½ | 7 | Fire Magic | Factions | ||||
Stone Daggers | Spell. Two projectiles: each deals 8...28...33 earth damage. If Overcast, cause Bleeding for 1...4...5 second[s]. | 5 | 1 | Earth Magic | Core | |||||
Swirling Aura | Enchantment Spell. (5 seconds.) Gives 1...5...6 Health regeneration and a 50% chance to block projectiles. If Overcast, also enchants party members in earshot. | 10 | 1 | 15 | Water Magic | Prophecies | ||||
Whirlwind | Spell. Hits foes adjacent to you. Deals 15...63...75 cold damage. Causes knock-down to attacking foes. Strikes nearby instead of adjacent if Overcast. | 5 | ¾ | 8 | Air Magic | Prophecies |
Trivia[edit]
- Prior to the January 5, 2012 update, overcast always affected 10 points of energy and this cost was included as part of the verbose and concise descriptions.
- Prior to the September 13, 2012 update, overcast was called "exhaustion" and had no positive skill effects associated with it.
- Several non-elementalist skills caused overcast in a previous version, for example Xinrae's Weapon.
Skill lists (edit) |
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Warrior • Ranger • Monk • Necromancer • Mesmer • Elementalist Assassin • Ritualist • Paragon • Dervish • Common Adrenaline skills Upkeep skills Sacrifice skills Overcast skills |