Mastering the Art of Blocking in Elden Ring: A Comprehensive Guide

Effectively blocking in Elden Ring is far more nuanced than simply holding up a shield. It involves understanding your equipment, your enemy’s attack patterns, and knowing when to block versus when to dodge or parry. To block effectively, you need to equip a shield in your left hand or two-hand a weapon; when you hold the guard button (usually L1 or LB), your character will raise their guard, reducing incoming damage based on your shield’s Guarded Damage Negation stats. However, blocking consumes stamina, slows your movement, and doesn’t prevent all damage. Therefore, effective blocking requires a blend of knowing when to block, what shield to use, and how to combine it with other defensive strategies. The key is to use blocking as a tool in your arsenal, not your sole method of defense. Mastering the guard counter is essential after a successful block, where you can strike back immediately.

Understanding the Mechanics of Blocking

Shield Types and Stats

The cornerstone of effective blocking is understanding your shield. Shields vary widely in size, weight, and most importantly, their defensive stats. Pay close attention to:

• Physical Damage Negation: How much physical damage the shield reduces.
• Magic, Fire, Lightning, and Holy Damage Negation: How much damage of each respective type the shield reduces.
• Guard Boost: The amount of stamina damage is reduced when blocking. A higher Guard Boost means less stamina is drained when hit. Upgrading shields improves this stat.
• Weight: Heavier shields offer more protection but also slow you down and can hinder mobility. Lighter shields allow for faster movement, but may have lower damage negation.

Stamina Management and Guarding

Blocking uses stamina. If your stamina breaks while guarding, you’ll be left vulnerable to attack, often suffering a critical hit. Therefore, managing your stamina while guarding is crucial. Here are a few tips:

• Don’t hold the block button indefinitely. Only raise your shield when you anticipate an incoming attack.
• Invest in Endurance to increase your maximum stamina and allow for more sustained blocking.
• Consider equipment that increases stamina recovery speed.
• Be aware that some attacks are unblockable or might consume so much stamina they are best dodged or parried.

When to Block, Dodge, or Parry

Blocking is just one tool among many defensive strategies available in Elden Ring. It’s important to understand when to use each:

• Blocking: Ideal for predictable, smaller attacks. It’s great for surviving chip damage and preparing for a guard counter.
• Dodging (Rolling): Best for powerful attacks, sweeps, and area-of-effect attacks. It allows you to evade damage entirely and reposition yourself for a counterattack. Ensure you have an equipment load under 30% to roll faster.
• Parrying: A high-risk, high-reward technique. Parrying is best against predictable, single attacks with a clear wind-up. A successful parry leaves the enemy open to a critical strike.

Guard Counters: A Powerful Tool

After a successful block, you can quickly press the light attack button to perform a guard counter. This is a powerful follow-up attack that can stagger enemies and deal significant damage, often equaling a charged heavy attack or more. Mastering this move is critical to an effective blocking strategy.

Choosing the Right Shield

The best shield is dependent on your playstyle and the challenges you face. Consider these points:

• For physical damage heavy encounters: Shields with high physical damage negation.
• For magical threats: The Silver Mirrorshield is the best for its massive magic damage negation.
• For parrying: The Buckler is known for its more forgiving parry window.
• For stability: Choose shields with high Guard Boost. The Brass Shield is a good all-rounder for balance between weight and stats.
• For weight: Consider lighter shields if you want to remain agile. The small shields category allows you to move faster.
• Upgrades: Always upgrade your shields, as strengthening them increases their Guard Boost even if not by a full point every upgrade.

Blocking versus Two-Handing

You can block while two-handing your weapon, but the stamina reduction is higher and the protection is lower. This style is better used when you are confident in your dodging skills. It’s primarily meant for a quick tap to reduce some damage or perform a guard counter, not a full defensive strategy.

FAQs: Blocking in Elden Ring

1. Is blocking always better than dodging in Elden Ring?

No, blocking is not always better than dodging. Blocking uses stamina and slows you down, while dodging allows you to reposition and avoid damage entirely. The best defense is a mix of both blocking and dodging, used situationally.

2. How important is blocking for a new player in Elden Ring?

Blocking is very important for new players. It provides a safety net while learning enemy attack patterns. While not always the best choice, it offers a less risky way to approach combat compared to dodging and parrying.

3. What is the best shield for blocking magical damage?

The Silver Mirrorshield is the best shield for blocking magical damage due to its exceptionally high magic negation (89%).

4. Does upgrading shields make a big difference?

Yes, upgrading shields significantly improves their Guard Boost stat, allowing you to block more effectively with less stamina consumption.

5. What is Guard Boost and why is it important?

Guard Boost determines how much stamina is reduced when blocking. A higher Guard Boost means you will expend less stamina when blocking an attack. It is critical for sustaining a defensive strategy.

6. Is it worth using a shield if I don’t plan to use it offensively?

Yes, shields are worth using even without offensive use because of their defensive stat boosts. They add survivability to a build.

7. How can I improve my blocking effectiveness?

Focus on stamina management, upgrading your shields, and timing your blocks with enemy attacks. Practice guard counters.

8. How do I perform a guard counter in Elden Ring?

After successfully blocking an attack, press the light attack button immediately to perform a guard counter.

9. Which shield is best for parrying?

The Buckler is considered the best shield for parrying due to its more forgiving parry window.

10. Can you parry all attacks in Elden Ring?

No, not all attacks can be parried. Many heavy attacks and AOE attacks must be dodged instead.

11. What are the dangers of relying too heavily on blocking?

Relying only on blocking can leave you vulnerable if your stamina breaks and can be ineffective against strong, unblockable, or multi-hit attacks.

12. Does leveling up increase blocking power in Elden Ring?

Leveling Endurance directly increases stamina, which is essential for blocking. Also, having more vigor will help when a successful block leaves you with chip damage.

13. Are there skills that enhance blocking?

No specific skills enhance blocking in Elden Ring, but some talismans and armor can affect stamina recovery and overall survivability.

14. Can I block while two-handing a weapon?

Yes, you can block while two-handing, but the effectiveness is significantly less than when using a shield. It is useful for quick blocking only.

15. Is blocking harder against certain types of enemies?

Yes, blocking against multi-hit attacks, grab attacks, or heavy elemental attacks can be very dangerous. In those cases, dodging is generally the better option.

By mastering these techniques and understanding the nuances of blocking in Elden Ring, you’ll significantly improve your survivability and conquer the challenges that await. Remember, a balanced approach to defense—combining blocking, dodging, and parrying—will make you a formidable foe in the Lands Between.