Scathe (Final Fantasy XIV)

Scathe is a and spell from Final Fantasy XIV that deals damage to a single target with a chance to deal double damage.
==Mechanics==
 	Scathe Thaumaturge/Black Mage 15 	SpellClass action
Effects 	
*Deals unaspected magic damage to a single target
*Has a 20% chance that its potency will double
*Activates the global cooldown 	
*Deals unaspected magic damage to a single target
*Has a 20% chance that its potency will double
*Activates the global cooldown
Interactions 	
* increases damage by 15%
* guarantees that the next Scathe's potency will double for 15 seconds 	
* increases damage by 15%
* guarantees that the next Scathe's potency will double for 15 seconds
Traits 	
* increases damage by 10%
* increases damage by 30% 	
* increases damage by 10%
* increases damage by 30%
Base direct damage formula:Damage = \lfloor Potency * f(Intelligence_{DMG}) * f(Determination) \rfloor * f(Magic Damage) \rfloor * Trait \rfloorWhere potency can be 100, or 200 if its additional effect activates; trait can be 1.1 with Maim and Mend, 1.3 with Maim and Mend II, or 1 otherwise.	Base direct damage formula:Damage = \lfloor Potency * f(Intelligence_{DMG}) * f(Determination) \rfloor * f(Magic Damage) \rfloor * Trait \rfloorWhere potency can be 100, or 200 if its additional effect activates; trait can be 1.1 with Maim and Mend, 1.3 with Maim and Mend II, or 1 otherwise.	Base direct damage formula:Damage = \lfloor Potency * f(Intelligence_{DMG}) * f(Determination) \rfloor * f(Magic Damage) \rfloor * Trait \rfloorWhere potency can be 100, or 200 if its additional effect activates; trait can be 1.1 with Maim and Mend, 1.3 with Maim and Mend II, or 1 otherwise.
Recast time formula:Cast = \lfloor ( 100 - Haste ) * \lfloor ( 2 - f(Spell Speed) ) * 2500 \rfloor / 1000 \rfloor / 100 	Recast time formula:Cast = \lfloor ( 100 - Haste ) * \lfloor ( 2 - f(Spell Speed) ) * 2500 \rfloor / 1000 \rfloor / 100 	Recast time formula:Cast = \lfloor ( 100 - Haste ) * \lfloor ( 2 - f(Spell Speed) ) * 2500 \rfloor / 1000 \rfloor / 100
==Use==
Scathe instantly deals light damage to its target. While it has a 20% chance to have its potency doubled, it is still a fairly weak ability and will be outdamaged by or on average. can be used to guarantee Scathe's potency is double, but this is a poor use of the ability compared to its or effects.
Scathe's main purpose is to allow the Black Mage to attack while moving, but even this niche is eventually overshadowed. Black Mages can use more freely than other jobs, and Swiftcasted spells provide better DPS than Scathe even if they clip the global cooldown (GCD). At higher levels and grant Black Mages several more instant cast options that outclass Scathe. Scathe's only advantage over these actions is its GCD recast; if all other instant cast options are on cooldown, Scathe can viably be used in their stead. Even then, Scathe's low potency makes it so weak that it's only the best option if the player has to move for the entirety of the GCD, if the player can start casting before the GCD would end, and has no other instant cast options, it is higher DPS to just not cast at all during movement.
As an instant cast spell that activates the GCD, Scathe can be used to weave abilities that are off the global cooldown (oGCD), such as , in between spellcasts.
===Enhanced by traits===
Trait	Level	Effect
 	20 20	Increases base action damage and HP restoration by 10% and allows for the stacking of a second Astral Fire or Umbral Ice.
 	40 40	Increases base action damage and HP restoration by 30% and allows for the stacking of a third Astral Fire or Umbral Ice which reduces cast times for spells of the opposite element by half.
== Patch history ==
Version 	Changes
A Realm Reborn	Added with 120 potency and 8% base MP cost, with no chance of doubled potency.Level 24 Thaumaturge trait granted a 20% chance to deal double damage.
Patch 2.1 	Potency reduced to 100.
Heavensward 	added. Guaranteed Enhanced Scathe's effect would activate on the next Scathe used.
Stormblood 	Enhanced Scathe removed. Effect is now part of the base ability. Sharpcast description changed to reflect this but is functionally unchanged.No longer available in PvP.
Shadowbringers	MP cost set at 800 with MP system overhaul.
Category:Thaumaturge actions in Final Fantasy XIV
Category:Black Mage actions in Final Fantasy XIV