Skada

Skada is a free, modular damage meter for World of Warcraft. It lets players review combat data across saved fight segments and choose between Bar, Inline, and Data Text windows. Multiple windows are supported, with controls for customizing them and adjusting how much detail a view shows. The Midnight edition targets WoW 12.0 and later and uses Blizzard’s session-based combat systems; a classic version serves older releases. The project lists Retail, Mists of Pandaria Classic, and Classic flavors. Midnight also includes UI presets, animated visual elements, and a theme engine that can import and export themes. Data Text can be displayed through compatible LDB addons, including Titan Panel, ChocolateBar, and ElvUI. Optional third-party plugins add displays and metrics such as graphs, tank performance, and friendly-fire damage. Developers can use Skada’s API to create further plugins. The project says it aims to use memory and CPU efficiently. It is listed under the MIT license, and the project suggests GitHub Sponsors for supporting development.

Skada offers several ways to view and customize combat data, with plugins for added metrics. Choose the edition that matches your World of Warcraft version.

Skada suits World of Warcraft players who want to inspect combat metrics across fights or customize their damage-meter displays. Its optional plugins also provide additional views, including tank-performance metrics.

Skada is a World of Warcraft addon for players who want live combat readings alongside a way to revisit individual fights. Its customizable windows and plugin options suit players who like shaping their combat interface, while the edition split makes matching it to the game version essential.

It is a capable free choice for WoW combat tracking, but players who want a standalone meter or support for a different game should choose another tool.

Overview

Skada pairs live combat data with saved fight segments, so players can move between encounters and inspect more or less detail. Bar, Inline, and Data Text displays can run across multiple windows, giving players room for a prominent meter and a compact readout. The project aims to use memory and CPU efficiently, though that stated goal does not make it a fit for games outside World of Warcraft.

Key features

• Flexible displays: Bar, Inline, and Data Text windows support different ways to present combat data. Customizable windows and theme-string import and export are useful for players who want control over presentation; the Midnight edition also includes UI presets, animated visual elements, and a built-in theme engine.
• Fight segments: Saved segments let players review a particular encounter rather than rely only on the current display. This is especially useful for comparing combat details across fights, while the degree of detail can be adjusted to the task.
• Data Text integrations: LDB display addons such as Titan Panel, ChocolateBar, and ElvUI can show Skada's Data Text output, making it a practical option for players already using those interface tools.
• Plugins and API: Third-party plugins add displays and metrics including graphs, tank performance, and friendly-fire damage. The API allows developers to create more plugins, but players seeking a particular extra metric may need to find and install the relevant plugin.
• Edition and game support: The Midnight edition targets WoW 12.0+ and uses Blizzard's session-based combat systems. CurseForge lists Retail, Mists of Pandaria Classic, and Classic flavors, with a classic version for older releases; players should choose the edition that matches their WoW version.

Pricing

Skada — free. The free addon covers World of Warcraft, including Retail, Mists of Pandaria Classic, and Classic versions. There is no paid tier to weigh against a cheaper plan; development support is suggested through GitHub Sponsors. The MIT license permits broad use subject to its license conditions.

Platforms

Skada supports macOS and Windows and is made for World of Warcraft. It offers a live overlay and session history, but it is not a general-purpose combat meter for other games.

Who it's for

Skada is best for WoW players who want to shape several combat displays, revisit saved fight segments, or add specialized views through plugins. Tank-focused players may find the optional tank-performance plugin useful. Players who prefer a fixed, self-contained feature set or need a meter for another game have reason to look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free across WoW flavors: Retail, Mists of Pandaria Classic, and Classic versions make it a no-cost option across several WoW releases.
• Multiple display formats: Bar, Inline, and Data Text modes plus multiple windows support different interface layouts.
• Review and extend: Saved segments, theme controls, LDB compatibility, and optional plugins offer more flexibility than a single live meter.

Cons

• Version choice matters: Midnight is for WoW 12.0+, while older releases use the classic version, so players need the matching edition.
• Extra metrics may require plugins: Specialized displays such as graphs or tank performance rely on third-party additions rather than the base addon alone.
• WoW-specific: Players looking for combat tracking outside World of Warcraft need another product.

Alternatives

Advanced Combat Tracker is a free Windows desktop download, a better fit for readers who want desktop software rather than a WoW addon.

Combat Metrics is a free ESO addon; choose it for Elder Scrolls Online, keeping in mind that its required libraries must be downloaded separately.

AwowLab Overlay is a free Windows option with no paid tier required for its core job.

CombatDash is a free Windows community plugin for The Lord of the Rings Online, limited to Creep classes.

Elite Insights is free, MIT-licensed software for Linux, macOS, Windows, or self-hosting, and is provided as-is.

EQ Zera is free on web and Windows, with no purchase, account, or sign-in required and no features locked.

eqdps is free for Linux and Windows, with optional EQLDB uploads.

EQL Meter is a free MIT-licensed macOS and Windows app with no account or cloud backend.

For more options, see the Game Damage Meters list.

Verdict

Choose Skada if you play World of Warcraft and want customizable combat displays, saved fight segments, and room to add metrics through plugins without paying for the addon. Its main appeal is that combination of flexibility and free access; look elsewhere if you need a standalone meter, a different game's support, or a feature set that does not depend on optional plugins.