How to block??
On my Engineer, when I equip a shield I get a blocking move, but it has to be unlocked like all other weapon skills by fighting with it equipped. But it’s not a true “block”. I forget the name of it now as I’m at work and not in game, as well as the specifics of the skill, but it is a block type move. He just hunkers down behind the shield.
Certain abilities allow you to block. Guardians have a psuedo-passive ability to block once in a while. There’s a buff called Aegis that does this.
You can also dodge by double tapping the movement keys (ASDW). So you can roll in any direction.
As for block, there is no passive block mechanic. There is a boon called Aegis, which will block the next incoming attack. So the “blocks” you see are probably from that. Guardians have a few skills that an grant Aegis reliably, not sure about other classes.
You can also dodge by double tapping the movement keys (ASDW). So you can roll in any direction.
To add to this, you can double tap to roll. But some professions have skills that also dodge attacks without the need for a roll. Thieves for example when equipped with a dagger/dagger can attack with Death Blossom (#3 key) which does an attack and you flip over your enemies and dodge any attacks. Ranger has an attack too for shortbow, and i think sword/dagger. Not sure about the other professions
You can also dodge by double tapping the movement keys (ASDW). So you can roll in any direction.
As for block, there is no passive block mechanic. There is a boon called Aegis, which will block the next incoming attack. So the “blocks” you see are probably from that. Guardians have a few skills that an grant Aegis reliably, not sure about other classes.
I would highly suggest that you bind dodge to a different key however. I think it’s also bound to V by default.
The reason I say this is because double tapping causes you to pause for a split second between taps, and that could make all the difference in a heated fight.
I’ve actually bound dodge to a button on my mouse by my thumb, as I personally had the problem of hitting the wrong button instead of V, usually bringing up the world vs world menu in the middle of combat _.
Also, there’s an option in the “options” menu that lets you turn off double tap completely. I did this because of accidentally dodging when trying to do jump puzzles. Stinks when you’re trying to move slightly, and instead roll off some jump puzzle to your death :X
Ok, I was watching the video in the game guide below on combat, and in there it stated that you could make your character do specific things, like “dodge” and “block”, and they specifically showed a character with a shield blocking. Now I know the character can roll, which will ignore damage from attacks (although not necessarily damage from environment). When I looked through the keybinds, I also saw the “dodge” command which I promptly keybinded, only to find out it really is just a roll backwards. But there was nothing there for blocking. Did they just decided to drop that out of the abilities you can command? I’ve noticed my protector blocking before, so is it just given a certain percentage chance that you will block an attack? If so, is this just a static percentage? or can you raise it with abilities stats like defense?
Blocks are only available from certain Weapons Skills and Boons.
Yeah I was actually just looking through the wiki when you posted that, if there’s not passive ability to block, then quite frankly a shield is just plain stupid for a protector to even use. I don’t even think it gives a boost to armor in it’s stats. As for abilities, aegis, icbat, is actually a buff granted to us once every 40 seconds from one of our virtues, which are essentially another type of buff. But that’s one attack every 40 seconds, and it doesn’t even require a shield, as it ‘creates’ a shield for me (the blue glowy one you see us running around with on our left arm) It does this even when I’m smashing things with a great sword.
@Ginwean- The ability you’re thinking of is Protectors Strike- “Surround yourself and nearby allies with a shield. Damage foes that strike protected allies. Grant protection to yourself and nearby allies if you are not struck.” (It’s the blue halo that surrounds an area around us and we cower down like we’re blocking. It works for us and anyone else that is in that area as well) That’s not a shield ability though, that’s an ability granted to me by my main hand mace. In essence, I can’t make attacks while it is active, but it will automatically block the next attack and causes an immediate counter attack if struck while it is up, or if I’m not attacked, it will give me and any allies in it protection for 3 seconds (-33% dmg). Many mobs actually refuse to hit me when it’s up, I’ve even seen them sit there and not attack me when solo grinding when I’ve put it up many times. But like I said, that’s a mace skill, and it doesn’t require a shield. It also has a fairly long cooldown, like 20 or 25 seconds.
The 2 actual abilities that a shield does give me are Shield of Judgment- Create a shielding wave in front of you that damages foes and gives protection to yourself and up to five allies. So basically it’s a shield bash that also grants me protection for like 5 seconds. And the second ability, which I’ve found to be mostly useless, is Shield of Absorbtion – Create a dome around you that pushes foes back and absorbs projectiles. As a mele tank class, I’m not overly fond of pushing the mobs away from me too often. About the only good things I’ve found this for is to buy me a few seconds to heal if I have a lot of mobs on me, or to force mobs into an area that will allow me to corner them in dungeons. It’s not really an ability I find myself using too often. It says in the tooltip if I blow the shield early, it gives a heal, but I’ve never noticed it. Hell warriors get far far better abilities from using a shield. They get a bash that also stuns, and they get an ability that allows them to block for 3 seconds, or basically a true block. Quite frankly, mine rather suck in comparison.
It’s kind of a big deal because up until now, I’ve been going for a burn build with my Protector by filling out my honor and virtue trees, and putting 10 points into valor specifically for Defender’s flame, which will give me a100% chance to burn attackers when blocking. I figured if I get gear with vitality, toughness, and effect damage, I’ll be tough and put out good damage over time with burns. But, if there is no passive block, that means I’m only gaining 3 blocks every 40 seconds. 2 from my mace’s protectors strike and one from aegis. I’m not sure if that’s worth 10 points or not though. I’ll give it a shot and see how it works when I hit 80 I guess.
It’s kind of a big deal because up until now, I’ve been going for a burn build with my Protector by filling out my honor and virtue trees, and putting 10 points into valor specifically for Defender’s flame, which will give me a100% chance to burn attackers when blocking. I figured if I get gear with vitality, toughness, and effect damage, I’ll be tough and put out good damage over time with burns. But, if there is no passive block, that means I’m only gaining 3 blocks every 40 seconds. 2 from my mace’s protectors strike and one from aegis. I’m not sure if that’s worth 10 points or not though. I’ll give it a shot and see how it works when I hit 80 I guess.
If you’re going to spec into Defender’s Flame, you might want to consider replacing the Shield with a a Focus for normal use. Keep in mind that the Shield of Absorption generated from the Shield, Resolute Healer trait and Shield of the Avenger has two distinct effects, i.e. it will knockback and interrupt enemies caught within the area of effect on activation, as well as Block all incoming projectiles for a duration. Basically for enemy archers/ranged projectile attackers with Rapid Fire-type attacks, the Shield of Absorption will trump any other sources of Block effects.
Hence, with the Focus’ Shield of Wrath (3 blocks), Aegis (1 block every 40s; 30s with traits; excluding activation), Protector’s Strike, Superior Rune of Smouldering (+10% Burning) and other Burning applications (e.g. through Virtue of Justice or Zealot’s Flame) you can pretty much keep Burning running for a long time. If you manage to type a Shield of Absorption right, you can also apply 5-9 applications of Burning on those pesky archers/Rangers/Thieves/Warriors.
You know I honestly haven’t played much with the focus and torch since grinding out the abilities in the early levels, think i’ll go pay them a visit again. Thanks for the advice
What I’m shooting for is to fill out my virtues line for Master of consecrations (although, if what I’m understanding from the burn mechanics, not entirely sure if it’s worth it), Supreme Justice, and especially, Permeating Wrath. The Honor tree was the other one I intended on filling out, not for any particular skills per se, but I really liked the health increase. Also Battle Presence is pretty nice. Then of course, 10 points into valor for defenders flame. I might end up swapping out the Honor tree for something else, but I’d really miss that extra health.
(edited by Feywray.4351)
What I’m shooting for is to fill out my virtues line for Master of consecrations (although, if what I’m understanding from the burn mechanics, not entirely sure if it’s worth it), Supreme Justice, and especially, Permeating Wrath. The Honor tree was the other one I intended on filling out, not for any particular skills per se, but I really liked the health increase. Also Battle Presence is pretty nice. Then of course, 10 points into valor for defenders flame. I might end up swapping out the Honor tree for something else, but I’d really miss that extra health.
First of all, Master of Consecrations gives you two sources of burn, i.e. Purging Flames (initial application and with combo finishers) and Hallowed Ground (with combo finishers). Considering the maximum duration for Burn is 60 seconds, you may or may not be overdoing it, especially in a group fight.
Secondly, don’t worry too much about the Vitality you won’t get by not traiting into Honor; you can always compensate with your items.