Block

Blocking is the act of using a shield to prevent partial damage. It's one of the means of physical damage mitigation.

Game mechanics

Physical attacks, either ranged or melee, can be blocked only if you have a shield equipped.

Block rating

The main attribute of blocking is your block rating, as shown on the character sheet. 1 strength provides 1 block rating. A higher rating will provide a higher chance to block an attack, and absorb a higher portion of blocked blows.

Chance to block

The block chance is calculated as follows :

• BlockChance = X * BlockRating

X is a factor that depends on level, as shown in the following table

Level	Block% per rating
17	0.1454
20	0.1067
31	0.0742
50	0.0486

Block absorption

The percentage of damage absorbed on a blocked attack is calculated as such :

• DamageAbsorbed = BlockRating / (BlockRating + X)

DamageAbsorbed is between 0 and 1, and X is a number that gets higher on given levels. X can be calculated from the character sheet :

• X = BlockRating * (1-DamageAbsorbed) / DamageAbsorbed

Here's a table of known X values :

Level	X
17	267.8
20	354.55
31	500.9
50	721

When a soul tree "increases your block by X%", only the chance to block in increased, not the rating or the damage absorbed.

Abilities increasing your block

Paladin

Stalwart Shield : Increases your Block by 2/4/6/8/10%.

Shield of the Hero : Buff that increases block by 5%

Shield of the Chosen : Buff that increases block by 5%

Warlord

Defensive Experience : Increases your Block by 1/2/3/4/5%

See also

Damage mitigation