Overcast

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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.

Tablet of Wisdom

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

Visual effect of overcast on the energy bar: the grey area cannot be used due to overcast

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.
Bug Bug. While viewing a skill that costs overcast from a Priest of Balthazar or skill trainer, the popup that appears when you position your cursor over the overcast icon will display "...".

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.

IconNameDescriptionOvercastEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Breath of Fire.jpg Breath of Fire Spell. Deals 10...34...40 fire damage each second (5 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to target's initial location. 10 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 02.002 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Factions
Chain Lightning.jpg Chain Lightning Spell. Deals 10...70...85 lightning damage. Also hits two foes near your target. 25% armor penetration. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 02.002 Tango-activation-darker.png 0066 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Prophecies
Devourer Siege.jpg Devourer Siege Skill. Two projectiles: deal 150 fire damage; causes knock-down. Hits foes near target. Cannot target foes near you. 10 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 00.750.75¾ Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png aAnyZ Eye of the North
Dragon's Stomp.jpg Dragon's Stomp Spell. Deals 26...85...100 earth damage. Causes knock-down. Also hits foes near this foe. 10 Tango-overcast.png 2525 Tango-energy.png 03.003 Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Factions
Earthquake.jpg Earthquake Spell. Deals 26...85...100 earth damage. Also hits foes near target. Causes knock-down. 10 Tango-overcast.png 2525 Tango-energy.png 03.003 Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Prophecies
Ether Prodigy.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistEnergy StorageZ Prophecies
Gale.jpg Gale Spell. Causes knock-down. 50% failure chance unless Air Magic 5 or more. 10 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Core
Icy Prism.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Factions
Incendiary Bonds.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0077 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Prophecies
Invoke Lightning.jpg Invoke Lightning Elite Spell. Deals 10...74...90 lightning damage. Hits two foes near target. 25% armor penetration. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0066 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Nightfall
Maelstrom.jpg Maelstrom Spell. Deals 10...22...25 cold damage and interrupts spells each second (10 seconds). Hits foes adjacent to target's initial location. 10 Tango-overcast.png 2525 Tango-energy.png 02.002 Tango-activation-darker.png 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Core
Meteor.jpg Meteor Spell. Deals 7...91...112 fire damage and causes knock-down. Also hits foes adjacent to target foe. 10 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 02.002 Tango-activation-darker.png 03030 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Core
Meteor Shower.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 2525 Tango-energy.png 055 Tango-activation-darker.png 06060 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Prophecies
Mind Burn.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Core
Mind Freeze.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Core
Mind Freeze (PvP).jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Core
Mind Shock.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Prophecies
Mind Shock (PvP).jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Prophecies
Obsidian Flame.jpg Obsidian Flame Spell. Deals 22...94...112 damage. 5 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Core
Obsidian Flame (PvP).jpg Obsidian Flame (PvP) Spell. Deals 22...78...92 damage. 5 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Core
Ride the Lightning.jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Ride the Lightning (PvP).jpg 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 Tango-overcast.png 1515 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Second Wind.jpg Second Wind Elite Spell. You gain 1 Energy and 5 Health for each point of Overcast. You lose all enchantments. 5 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistZ Factions
Shock.jpg Shock Touch Skill. Deals 10...50...60 lightning damage. Causes knock-down. 25% armor penetration. 10 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 00.750.75¾ Tango-activation-darker.png 01010 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Prophecies
Vapor Blade.jpg Vapor Blade Spell. Deals 15...111...135 cold damage. Half damage if target foe is enchanted. 5 Tango-overcast.png 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0077 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ 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:

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Arcane Languor.jpg Arcane Languor Elite Hex Spell. (1...8...10 second[s].) Target foe's spells cause 10 Overcast. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 02.002 Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png mesmeraMesmerFast CastingZ Factions
Crystal Haze.jpg 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. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0 monsteraMonsterZ Prophecies
Equinox.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 03.003 Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png rangeraRangerWilderness SurvivalZ Factions
Exhausting Assault.jpg Exhausting Assault Dual Attack. Interrupts an action. Inflicts 10 Overcast if the interrupted action was a spell. Must follow a lead attack. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.500.5½ Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png assassinaAssassinDagger MasteryZ Factions
Iron Mist.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Prophecies
Over the Limit.jpg 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 Tango-upkeep.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 02020 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistEnergy StorageZ Core

The following environment effects can directly or indirectly cause overcast:

Overcast prevention[edit]

There is one skill that prevents Overcast entirely.

IconNameDescriptionEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeAttributeCampaign
Glyph of Energy.jpg 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. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 02525 Tango-recharge-darker.png Energy StorageZ Prophecies

Skills that benefit from overcast[edit]

The following skills receive specific benefits when overcast is present:

IconNameDescriptionOvercastEnergyActivation timeRecharge timeProf.AttributeCampaign
Arc Lightning.jpg 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. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Factions
Flare.jpg Flare Spell. Projectile: deals 20...56...65 fire damage. If Overcast, strikes adjacent. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0 Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Core
Ice Spear.jpg Ice Spear Enchantment Spell. Projectile: deals 10...50...60 cold damage. Gain +1...3...4 Health regeneration for 5 seconds if Overcast. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0 Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Core
Lava Font.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0044 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Prophecies
Lightning Strike.jpg 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. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Core
Magnetic Aura.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01212 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Prophecies
Magnetic Surge.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Eye of the North
Phoenix.jpg Phoenix Spell. Projectile: deals 10...50...60 fire damage to target and nearby foes. Heals allies for 20...68...80 if you are Overcast. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0077 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Prophecies
Rust.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Core
Second Wind.jpg Second Wind Elite Spell. You gain 1 Energy and 5 Health for each point of Overcast. You lose all enchantments. 5 Tango-overcast.png 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0055 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistZ Factions
Shell Shock.jpg Shell Shock Spell. Deals 10...26...30 lightning damage. Inflicts Cracked Armor condition (5...17...20 seconds). 25% armor penetration. If Overcast, strikes adjacent. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ Eye of the North
Smoldering Embers.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.5001.5Tango-activation-darker.png 0077 Tango-recharge-darker.png elementalistaElementalistFire MagicZ Factions
Stone Daggers.jpg Stone Daggers Spell. Two projectiles: each deals 8...28...33 earth damage. If Overcast, cause Bleeding for 1...4...5 second[s]. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 0 Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistEarth MagicZ Core
Swirling Aura.jpg 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. 0 1010 Tango-energy.png 01.001 Tango-activation-darker.png 01515 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistWater MagicZ Prophecies
Whirlwind.jpg 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. 0 055 Tango-energy.png 00.750.75¾ Tango-activation-darker.png 0088 Tango-recharge-darker.png Tango-quest-icon.pngelementalistaElementalistAir MagicZ 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)
Warrior WarriorRanger RangerMonk MonkNecromancer NecromancerMesmer MesmerElementalist Elementalist
Assassin AssassinRitualist RitualistParagon ParagonDervish DervishProfession Common

Adrenaline Adrenaline skills Upkeep Upkeep skills Sacrifice Sacrifice skills Overcast Overcast skills