Block

This article is about the combat technique. For blocking communication from other players, see Contacts and LFG panel. For other uses, see Block (disambiguation).

Blocking is a technique used to negate incoming attacks. A blocked attack deals no damage and inflicts no conditions. The boon aegis will block the next incoming attack, but a few professions have access to skills which will block attacks while active. Some professions have traits which grant benefits on a successful block.

Blocking a projectile destroys it and nullifies all its effects, including stopping projectiles that pierce, as well as projectiles that deal no direct damage (e.g. Infiltrator's Arrow). Note that certain projectiles (such as Captain Mai Trin's electric blast) cannot be blocked. Some skills specifically blocks missiles which will only block projectiles (not melee or other attacks) and also will not trigger effects that grant bonuses from blocking.

Blocking can be bypassed with unblockable attacks, a property that is listed in the skill description. Traps are an example of unblockable skills.

Related skills[edit]

Utility skills that block incoming attacks

Profession mechanic skills that block incoming attacks

Racial skills that block incoming attacks

Vine Shield — Tool belt, Grasping Vines

Related traits[edit]

Traits that improve blocking

Communal Defenses (Valor) — Blocking an attack grants aegis to nearby allies.
Might of the Protector (Valor) — Gain might when you block attacks.
Invigorated Bulwark (Honor) — Increase your healing to other allies each time you block an attack. Mace skills gain reduced recharge and their boons gain increased duration.
Defender's Dogma (Dragonhunter) — Gain vitality. Blocking an attack causes justice to reach its maximum charge and reduces the cooldown of Spear of Justice.
Hunter's Fortification (Dragonhunter) — Remove conditions and heal when blocking attacks.
Shield Master (Defense) — Reflect missiles whenever you are blocking. Gain adrenaline when you block an attack or reflect a missile.
Hardened Armor (Defense) — Gain resolution when you block or are struck by a critical hit. Strike damage taken is reduced by a percentage while you have resolution.
Flow like Water (Water) — Deal increased strike damage, which is further increased while your health is above the threshold. Blocking or evading an attack heals you.
Duelist's Reversal (Virtuoso) — Blocking or dodging an attack grants boons.
Psychic Riposte (Virtuoso) — Blocking or evading an attack stocks blades. Dodging stocks a blade and causes your next Bladesong to be unblockable.

Related equipment[edit]

Relics that benefit from blocking[edit]

Relic of the Defender — Heal a percentage of your maximum health after blocking an attack. If you block again within 5 seconds, you heal less each time down to minimum of 1%.