What’s the difference?
Almost everything was changed, starting from the default version that was available for v3.3.5 of the game up to what you can see on the addon.
It is now an all-in-one addon as opposed to what it was, modules can de enabled or disabled easily on the config panel.
Data collection was simplified and reduced teremendously and modules reply on each other to function (more explained later).
Several accessibility found here and there on the net and judged useful were added to the addon as modules (window buttons, mouse & keyboard scroll, themes…etc).
Unlike before, windows are resizable using the resize handles found at both bottom corners.
Bars are more fancy, colored by not only class but also spell school colors.
Bars display icons for both players and spells (spell tooltips as well for the latter).
Modules
The modules are the same you are used to see on default Skada but completely rewritten from the ground up to really give justice the the combatlog, by recording and showing everything related to it (almost everything).
Absorbs
Because WoTLK has no event to record the absorbs, auras priority system was used to give the best and most accurate numbers possible. It gives you access to Absorbs, Absorb spells and Absorb targets. This module has a sub-module called Absorbs and healing that requires both Absorbs and healing to be enabled because it collects data from both.
Activity
Shows players activity in the raid, or what’s called Active Time.
Buffs and Debuffs
This module shows players buffs and their uptime, debuffs and their uptime and targets.
CC Tracker
CC Done & CC Taken: unlike default ones, they now provided details info about spells used to CC and targets/sources.
CC Breakers : this was rewritten a bit, it is almost like the old one but optimized and provided like other CC modules, spell and target details.
Damage
This module shows detailed data about damage done, giving you access to Damage spell list and Damage target list and has three sub-modules:
DPS: obviously, shows the dps of raid members depending on the time measurement you choose (active or effective) and it gives you access to the same data as its parent.
Damage done by spell: this module shows a list of all spells used in your raid with their damage and the percentage of damage to the total. Clicking on a spell gives you access to the Damage source list, aka list of players that used that spell.
Useful damage: a useful damage is the damage required for the target to die, anything above it is called Overkill, this module shows the damage done in your raid without the overkill, it means all the damage that was required for all your raid targets to reach 0 health.
Overkill: this module does the reverse of what Useful damage does, it only lists players overkill with the list of their overkill spells.
Damage taken
Shows the damage taken by players of your raid with details about damage spells and damage sources. It provides three sub-modules:
Damage taken by spell: the same as the Damage done by spell but for damage your raid took, clicking a spell bar shows the list of players with the damage they took from it.
Avoidance & Mitigation: a pure tank module that gives you info about damage avoidance and mitigation (absorb, dodge, misses, blocks … etc).
Damage mitigated: shows data about the damage that was aborbed, blocked or resisted, giving you access to Damage spell list which gives you access to Damage spell details, all in the concept of mitigated damage.
DTPS (Damage taken per second): the data is already shown as a column in Damage taken module, but this module can be handy for some.
Deaths
This module was completely rewritter and unlike the default one, it keeps all player deaths and not only one and the deathlog provided spell details (absorb, resist, block, overkill … etc).
Dispels, Interrupts and Resurrects
These module do what they are named after, and unlike before, they provide more data: spells dispelled/interrupted, spells used to dispel/interrupt, targets dispelled/interrupted, spells user to resurrect, targets resurrected and resurrect spells used on the select player (too many boring details right?).
Enemies
The following modules require Damage or Damage taken modules to be enabled in order to work, because as said before, Skada no longer records duplicates and unnecessary data that can be found on other modules.
Enemy damage done: shows the list of targets that damage players during the combat with the damage they’ve done. Clicking on an enemy bar gives you access to the list of players that were damaged by the enemy, and clicking on a players shows you the spells used on the selected player by the selected enemy. One level deeper and you will see details about the select spell that was used on the selected player by the selected enemy.
Enemy damage taken: shows the list of enemies your party/raid members damaged during the combat with the total damage they took. Clicking on an enemy gives you access to the list of players that damage the selected enemy and clicking on a player shows you the spells that the selected player used on the selected enemy.
Failbot
Unlike the default Failbot module, it displays proper spell names and clicking on a players shows their fails, then clicking on a fail will show you the list of players that fail the selected even. If you are a tank don’t you worry, events that are not considered fails for the tank won’t be counted for you.
Friendly Fire
As its name states, it shows the damage players do to each other (it doesn’t count damage you do to youself). It gives you access to Damage spell list and Damage target list.
Healing
This module shows the effective healing which means it substructs the overhealing as his one is a sub-module of it. It gives you access to Healing spell list and Healing spell targets and it comes with four (4) sub-modules:
Overhealing: the Healing module keeps the effective healing and all overheals are shown when using this module, giving you access to Overhealing spell list and Overhealed player list.
Total healing: this module shows the data of Healing and Overhealing combined, giving you access to Healing spell list and Healing player list.
Healing and Overhealing: so you don’t get confused, this module is made for pure comparison between players healing and overhealing, showing on its bars these data as well as the percentage of overhealing. It gives you access as well to Healing spell list and Healing player list.
Healing received: shows the list of players by their received healing and gives you access to the list of players that healed them.
Healing done by spell: it lists the healing spells used during the selected segment. Clicking on a spell shows the list of players who used it with the amount.
HOS (healing per second): even if it is already shown in Absorbs and healing, some people want to see it just like DPS, so it’s available as a module as well.
Improvement
Use to track your character improvement. It records your boss data in raids only and allows you to compare compare your performance on the same target on different dates.
Nickname
This module allows you to set a nickname for your character (for example: the name of the main character if you are playing on an alt), this name will be displayed on main bars instead of your character’s name. All other Skada users and have nicknames enabled will see that name as well.
Parry-haste
Tracks all parry-hastes caused by players in your raid with access to the targets that parried them. Note that this module only records data for bosses that actionly parry-haste.
Potions
Tracks potions usage during an encounter. It even tracks and prints out to you pre-potions.
Power gains
It records mana, range, energy and runic power gained by players (happiness of hunter’s pet is treated as energy). Clicking a bar shows you the spells responsible for the gain.
Scroll
It provides additional options for scrolling the bar displays. its main features are:
Allows the middle-button to act as a scroll wheel for people missing wheel hardware (many laptops).
Provides keybinds for scrolling the bar displays.
Spamage
Suppresses chat messages from damage meters and provides single chat-link damage statistics in a popup. Useful if you don’t spam on your chat window.
Sunder Counter
Counts and shows the Sunder Armor usage by warriors.
Themes
It allows you to create themes that you can use if you want to change windows look. Themes can be created, applied and deleted (probably Shared as well in the future if I don’t forget to add it).
Threat
I think you already know what this module is used for, so no need to talk more about it. Oh and yes! You can use it instead of Omen or use both, it’s up to you and it’s a matter of personal preferences.