Blocking

"Block" redirects here. For the passive skill, see Block (passive skill).

Blocking is a means of preventing damage from enemy attacks by fending with a shield, staff or dual wielded weapons after Evasion and Dodge has failed. The base chance to block when using a shield (22-33%) or a staff (12-18%) is determined by the base item type. When dual wielding, the base chance to block is Template:SMW character query% no matter which weapons are used. Usually only attacks can be blocked, but there are passives and unique items that apply a percentage of block chance to spells. The chance to block attacks and spells are both capped at Template:SMW character query%.

Mechanics

Blocking an attack prevents all damage and harmful effects including status ailments. Reflected damage can be blocked; however, blocking reflected damage will not trigger on-block effects.

Block has the following stats: {{#ask:

-Has subobject::Character
|maximum_block_%
|?Has stat text=
|format=ul
|sort=Has stat text
|mainlabel=- 

}} The maximum block chance cap applies to both attacks and spells. However items such as The AnvilThe Anvil
Amber AmuletRequires Level 45+(20-30) to Strength(10-15)% Chance to Block Attack Damage
10% reduced Attack Speed
10% reduced Cast Speed
+(400-500) to Armour
(34-48) Life gained when you Block
(18-24) Mana gained when you Block
+3% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
Reflects 240 to 300 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockForge your Perseverance on the Anvil of Faith. can raise the maximum block cap.

Usually only attacks can be blocked, but there are passives and unique items that apply a percentage of block chance to spells. For example, the unique amulet Stone of LazhwarStone of Lazhwar
Lapis AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to Intelligence(12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(15-20)% increased Cast Speed
+(40-70) to maximum ManaYou are slow, foolish and ignorant.
I am not. grants 50% of Block Chance applied to Spells. A character with 40% block chance would have 40% (attack) block chance and 20% spell block chance with the unique equipped. This does not apply to block chance gained from skills like Tempest Shield.

Additional chance to block can be gained by taking certain passive skills, using Tempest Shield, equipping a shield with the modifier Local Additional Block Chance %, or equipping unique items such as The Bringer of RainThe Bringer of Rain
Nightmare BascinetArmour: (486-748)
Evasion: (699-1072)Requires Level 67, 62 Str, 85 DexSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 30 Melee Physical Damage
Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 30 Faster Attacks
Socketed Gems are supported by Level 30 Blind
6% Chance to Block Attack Damage
Adds 20 to 30 Physical Damage to Attacks
(200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion
+(200-300) to maximum Life
20% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Block
Can't use Chest armour
Extra gore"What lies beneath your feet?!"
"Sacred ground, watered with tears of blood!".

Block duration

"Block Recovery" redirects here. For the passive skill, see Block Recovery (passive skill).

When an attack is blocked, the game also calculates if the attack would have caused a stun were it not blocked. If it would have caused a stun, the blocking animation is played, stunning you briefly. If it would not have caused a stun, then you get a "free" block with no animation. Faster Block and Stun Recovery and Increased Block Recovery modifiers reduce the length of the blocking animation.

The following formula is the complete calculation for the duration of the blocking animation (in milliseconds). If you cannot be stunned, the block animation will never play.

Block Duration = 350 / ( 1 + Block and Stun Recovery + Block Recovery )

Status ailments have no affect on your block chance, but being frozen will prevent the block animation from playing if it otherwise would, and chilled will make it take longer to play (since those two work by decreasing the speed at which your character plays animations).

On hit effects from skills like and Viper Strike will still apply because block doesn't prevent a successful hit. However, skill effects based on damage like are essentially blocked.

Reducing Block chance

Block chance can be reduced with modifiers such as #% Reduced enemy chance to block and the gem .

Skills that can't be blocked

Some skills cannot be blocked. They can be a nasty surprise for players who rely on block or spell block. Typically, degeneration effects like from , , or can't be blocked. The explosion of can't be blocked neither (the attacks can be blocked, but explosions can come from terrain obstacles or minions). Bloodline mods Flame/Frost/Storm bearers produce explosions that are not blockable neither.

Related Unique Items

A number of unique items give bonuses to block, either by directly granting additional block chance, or indirectly by enhancing it in various ways. Note: Only unique items with explicit block-related mods are listed here. Ofcourse, all shields and staffs have implicit chance to block and they also apply on uniques, but they are not shown here.

Additional Block Chance

• Aegis AuroraAegis Aurora
  Champion Kite ShieldChance to Block: 32%
  Armour: (860-1235)
  Energy Shield: (176-250)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 62, 85 Str, 85 Int(300-400)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
  +10% to all Elemental Resistances
  +5% to maximum Cold Resistance
  +6% Chance to Block
  Recover Energy Shield equal to 2% of Armour when you Block
  (10-20)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack SkillsBorn from the marriage of ice and sky,
  the aurora evokes both awe and power.
• Crest of PerandusCrest of Perandus
  Pine BucklerChance to Block: 31%
  Evasion: (51-66)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 8, 26 Dex3% increased Movement Speed+(60-80) to maximum Life
  Regenerate (5-7.5) Life per second
  +30% to Lightning Resistance
  0.6% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
  +5% Chance to Block"With piety and justice."
  - Perandus family motto
• KaltenhaltKaltenhalt
  Painted BucklerChance to Block: 29%
  Evasion: (196-308)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 16, 44 Dex6% increased Movement Speed(60-100)% increased Evasion Rating
  +5% to maximum Cold Resistance
  +50% to Cold Resistance
  Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage
  Reflects (25-50) Cold Damage to Melee Attackers
  +5% Chance to BlockCold, miserable and alone... but alive.
• Lioneye's RemorseLioneye's Remorse
  Pinnacle Tower ShieldChance to Block: 30%
  Armour: (1307-1718)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 70, 159 Str+(20-30) to maximum Life(180-220)% increased Armour
  20% increased Stun and Block Recovery
  +(160-180) to maximum Life
  5% reduced Movement Speed
  -25 Physical Damage taken from Projectile Attacks
  +5% Chance to BlockMarceus' unblemished shield is a testament
  to his arrogance... and his fate.
• The Bringer of RainThe Bringer of Rain
  Nightmare BascinetArmour: (486-748)
  Evasion: (699-1072)Requires Level 67, 62 Str, 85 DexSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 30 Melee Physical Damage
  Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 30 Faster Attacks
  Socketed Gems are supported by Level 30 Blind
  6% Chance to Block Attack Damage
  Adds 20 to 30 Physical Damage to Attacks
  (200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion
  +(200-300) to maximum Life
  20% chance to gain an Endurance Charge when you Block
  Can't use Chest armour
  Extra gore"What lies beneath your feet?!"
  "Sacred ground, watered with tears of blood!"
• The AnvilThe Anvil
  Amber AmuletRequires Level 45+(20-30) to Strength(10-15)% Chance to Block Attack Damage
  10% reduced Attack Speed
  10% reduced Cast Speed
  +(400-500) to Armour
  (34-48) Life gained when you Block
  (18-24) Mana gained when you Block
  +3% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage
  Reflects 240 to 300 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockForge your Perseverance on the Anvil of Faith. (also increases maximum block chance)
• Thousand Teeth TemuThousand Teeth Temu
  Vaal BucklerChance to Block: 37%
  Evasion: (660-833)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 63, 159 Dex3% increased Movement Speed(100-120)% increased Evasion Rating
  +(70-90) to maximum Life
  0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
  +10% Chance to Block
  Reflects 1000 to 10000 Physical Damage to Attackers on BlockCrimson burn'd the star of sadness,
  All was woe that seem'd but gladness.
• RearguardRearguard
  Blunt Arrow QuiverRequires Level 31Adds (7-9) to (13-16) Physical Damage to Attacks(20-24)% Chance to Block Attack Damage
  (12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  +(400-450) to Armour
  (20-30)% increased Projectile Speed
  50% increased Stun and Block Recovery
  (15-20)% increased Projectile Damage"It's a rare man that has eyes in the back of his head."
  - Kiravi, Vaal Archer
• Hegemony's EraHegemony's Era
  Judgement StaffWarstaff
  Physical Damage: (208-218) to (296-311)
  Critical Strike Chance: (7.15-7.80)%
  Attacks per Second: (1.46-1.51)
  Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 68, 113 Str, 113 Int+20% Chance to Block Spell Damage while wielding a Staff+6% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff
  Adds (135-145) to (160-175) Physical Damage
  (12-16)% increased Attack Speed
  (10-20)% increased Critical Strike Chance
  +1 to Maximum Power Charges
  10% chance to gain a Power Charge if you Knock an Enemy Back with Melee DamageThe right to rule demands mental acuity,
  a strong arm,
  And a tenacious sense of justice.

Additional Block Chance while Dual Wielding

• Prismatic EclipsePrismatic Eclipse
  Twilight BladeOne Handed Sword
  Physical Damage: (90-100) to (157-166)
  Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
  Attacks per Second: 1.30
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 53, 91 Str, 91 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy Rating+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
  Adds (60-70) to (71-80) Physical Damage
  25% increased Global Physical Damage with Weapons per Red Socket
  12% increased Global Attack Speed per Green Socket
  0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket
  +0.2 metres to Melee Strike Range per White Socket"A raging Solaris seared and contorted the orb's surface.
  A despairing Lunaris filled the scars with her tears.
  Yet Viridi remained, trapped within, forever more."
  - Azmerian Creation Myth
• Ungil's GaucheUngil's Gauche
  Boot KnifeRune Dagger
  Physical Damage: (14.4-16) to (61.2-68)
  Elemental Damage: 3-30
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.30%
  Attacks per Second: 1.59
  Weapon Range: 1.0 metresRequires Level 20, 31 Dex, 45 Int30% increased Global Critical Strike Chance+12% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
  +(10-20) to Dexterity
  (80-100)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds 3 to 30 Lightning Damage
  10% increased Attack Speed
  50% increased Global Critical Strike ChanceUnwieldy and garish became graceful
  and deadly in Ungil's nimble hands.
• Essentia SanguisEssentia Sanguis
  Vaal ClawClaw
  Physical Damage: 29-76
  Elemental Damage: 1 to (600-700)
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
  Attacks per Second: (1.56-1.69)
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 66, 95 Dex, 131 Int2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life+8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding Claws
  Adds 1 to (600-700) Lightning Damage
  (20-30)% increased Attack Speed
  +(30-40) to maximum Energy Shield
  Energy Shield Leech Effects from Attacks are not removed at Full Energy Shield
  Ghost ReaverThe darkest clouds clashed and coupled,
  giving birth to four lightning children of hate.
• Wings of EntropyWings of Entropy
  Ezomyte AxeTwo Handed Axe
  Physical Damage: (139.2-156.6) to (209.6-235.8)
  Critical Strike Chance: 5.70%
  Attacks per Second: 1.35
  Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 62, 140 Str, 86 Dex(7-10)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  +(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
  (60-80)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Fire Damage in Main Hand
  Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Chaos Damage in Off Hand
  Counts as Dual WieldingFire and Anarchy are the most reliable agents of change.

% Applied to Spell Block

• Stone of LazhwarStone of Lazhwar
  Lapis AmuletRequires Level 5+(20-30) to Intelligence(12-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  (15-20)% increased Cast Speed
  +(40-70) to maximum ManaYou are slow, foolish and ignorant.
  I am not.
• RainbowstrideRainbowstride
  Conjurer BootsEnergy Shield: (36-42)Requires Level 53, 94 Int(15-20)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  +(40-60) to maximum Mana
  +20% to all Elemental Resistances
  20% increased Movement Speed"They say that you should take life's troubles in your stride.
  Some men have a longer stride than others."
  - Gaius Sentari
• Rathpith GlobeRathpith Globe
  Titanium Spirit ShieldChance to Block: 25%
  Energy Shield: (147-200)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 68, 159 Int(10-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  (120-160)% increased Energy Shield
  10% increased maximum Life
  Sacrifice 10% of your Life when you Use or Trigger a Spell Skill
  5% increased Critical Strike Chance for Spells per 100 Player Maximum Life
  5% increased Spell Damage per 100 Player Maximum LifeThe Vaal emptied their slaves of beating hearts,
  and left a mountain of twitching dead.
• Daresso's CourageDaresso's Courage
  Baroque Round ShieldChance to Block: 25%
  Armour: (366-490)
  Evasion: (366-490)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 54, 70 Str, 70 Dex120% increased Block Recovery+30% Chance to Block Spell Damage while on Low Life
  (200-250)% increased Armour and Evasion
  +(20-30)% to all Elemental Resistances
  +100% Chance to Block Attack Damage if you have Blocked Spell Damage Recently
  +100% chance to Block Spell Damage if you have Blocked Attack Damage RecentlyBy tourney's end, Daresso bled and shivered.
  Yet even accursed treachery failed to steal the champion's victory.
• Saffell's FrameSaffell's Frame
  Branded Kite ShieldChance to Block: 24%
  Armour: (186-208)
  Energy Shield: (38-43)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 59, 76 Str, 76 Int+4% to all Elemental Resistances(20-30)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  (20-30)% increased Spell Damage
  +(20-30)% to all Elemental Resistances
  +4% to all maximum Resistances
  Cannot Block Attack DamageA swift mind solves problems before they occur.
• Wings of EntropyWings of Entropy
  Ezomyte AxeTwo Handed Axe
  Physical Damage: (139.2-156.6) to (209.6-235.8)
  Critical Strike Chance: 5.70%
  Attacks per Second: 1.35
  Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 62, 140 Str, 86 Dex(7-10)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
  +(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding
  (60-80)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Fire Damage in Main Hand
  Adds (75-100) to (165-200) Chaos Damage in Off Hand
  Counts as Dual WieldingFire and Anarchy are the most reliable agents of change.

miscellaneous

• Cybil's PawCybil's Paw
  Thresher ClawClaw
  Physical Damage: 20-53
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
  Attacks per Second: 1.30
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 37, 53 Dex, 77 IntGrants 25 Life per Enemy Hit(15-20)% increased Cast Speed
  +(30-40) to maximum Mana
  Gain (15-20) Life per Enemy Hit with Spells
  8% increased Spell Damage per 5% Chance to Block Attack DamageTread lightly, lest their vigil find you.
  Speak softly, lest their reason fend you.
  Cut gently, lest their spirit haunt you.
• Lightbane RaimentLightbane Raiment
  Ornate RingmailArmour: (569-715)
  Energy Shield: (118-148)
  Movement Speed: -5%Requires Level 47, 69 Str, 69 Int(120-140)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
  30% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage
  Reflects 30 Chaos Damage to Melee Attackers
  25% reduced Light Radius
  100% chance to create Desecrated Ground when you Block
  Desecrated Ground deals 250 Chaos Damage per second (Hidden)
  Desecrated Ground has a radius of 16 (Hidden). . . and the Light faded and hope waned
  Zahndethus cast aside his faith
  and embraced the darkness.
• Zahndethus' CassockZahndethus' Cassock
  Sage's RobeEnergy Shield: (177-225)
  Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 37, 104 IntAdds 1 to 40 Lightning Damage to Attacks
  (125-150)% increased Energy Shield
  +(40-50)% to Chaos Resistance
  25% increased Light Radius
  100% chance to create Consecrated Ground when you Block
  Consecrated Ground regenerates 6% Life per second (Hidden)
  Consecrated Ground has a radius of 18 (Hidden)When dead men rise and darkness falls
  Only faith can be your walls
  Walls of Light, not of brick
  Twice as strong and twice as thick
• Rumi's ConcoctionRumi's Concoction
  Granite FlaskLasts 6.00 Seconds
  Consumes 30 of 60 Charges on use
  +1500 to ArmourRequires Level 68+(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage during Effect
  +(4-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage during Effect"Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.
  Today I am wise, so I am changing myself."
  -Rumi of the VaalRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters.

Passive skills

There are passive skills that grant blocking bonuses.

Chance to block with shields

These passive skills grant additional chance to block with a shield equipped.

Chance to block with staves

These passive skills grant additional chance to block with a staff equipped.

Chance to block while dual wielding

These passive skills grant additional chance to block while dual wielding.

Chance to block spells with shields

These passive skills grant additional chance to block spells with a shield equipped.

Chance to block for minions

These passive skills grant additional chance to block for minions.

Block recovery

These passive skills grant increased block recovery.