Active blocking

I've been reading up on the active blocking discussion and how the metrics for successfully blocking were abysmal, but also the idea of utilizing waterfall stats which I think is a great middle ground.

But my concern is more with how it feels to play with active blocking. As a tank you are meant to be the defender of the party standing in between when someone goes after your party members. One of the best feelings about tanking in Tera was the active blocking and simply standing in the way of an ability directed at someone else. Having looked at the system used in New World they also add an aggro bonus on intercepting a skill like that, further adding to the rewarding feeling like you are actively stepping into the line of fire, protecting your party, and forcing the enemy's attack on you, because you will not allow anyone else to fall before you do.

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Comments

Vhaeyne

Active blocking really exists in almost every MMORPG.

Tank busters. A move designed to one shot you unless you use a CD to prevent death. You are expected to actively pay attention at block/prevent the attack.

I get that this might not fit some peoples definitions of active blocking, but to me it is close enough. The difference is normally a CD vs stamina system.

That said, I think anyone using a shield should be able to actively block. That is what a shield is for. If you want to be a mage and be able to block some melee with a wand and buckler. That shit is fine by me.

Sexy_Fufu

As a berserker main in Tera, I liked that I could use the active block with the giant 2-handed axe and it was awesome.
It would be nice to see that in AoC as well.

fabula

I side with the active blocking camp. In Everquest all you had were cooldowns, WoW is the same. Every single mmo I played always had this and this was alright. Tank was never my favorite but it was always a required class for end game content so someone had to play them.

It wasn't until Terra that I actually prefered playing a tank and that was because of the lancer and active blocking. From lowbie dungeons to end game was fun and I can honestly say that it was my favorite tank out of all the games I played.

Jirue

Barbecue wrote: »

As a berserker main in Tera, I liked that I could use the active block with the giant 2-handed axe and it was awesome.
It would be nice to see that in AoC as well.

Same, mate. I also liked the fact a Berserker couldn't fully block the damage of some BAM attacks, so while solo hunting BAMs it turned into a game of learning which attacks I could block and which I needed to avoid by moving out of the way and which gave me the time to charge up some of the heavier attacks in my move set.

Dygz

Vhaeyne wrote: »

That said, I think anyone using a shield should be able to actively block. That is what a shield is for. If you want to be a mage and be able to block some melee with a wand and buckler. That shit is fine by me.

True. I forgot to mention we have to factor in that any class can use any weapon.

Dygz

fabula wrote: »

It wasn't until Terra that I actually prefered playing a tank and that was because of the lancer and active blocking. From lowbie dungeons to end game was fun and I can honestly say that it was my favorite tank out of all the games I played.

Ha! Yeah, I typically just prefer to stealth past combat, but in Valheim, I love using shields for active block...stamina drain with that mechanic.

maouw

I'm used to mages using teleport/blink/flash/whateveryouwanttocallit as their dodging, and then certain specializations of mages having spell shields, or phasing/become ethereal.

The rogue lifestyle is about dancing with danger (dodging)
Fighters parrying.
Tanks blocking.
Rangers just always on the move and keeping their distance

For the other archetypes..
clerics heal themselves back up
summoners use their minions as body shields/deflecting damage they take to their minions.
and bards charming their way out of tight situations

I don't think these are equally defensive, but I do think all classes should have defensive options.

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