Block | Skills TES V: Skyrim Guide
Last update: 05 December 2019
This TES V: Skyrim World Atlas page describes Block. These skills are largely related to the warrior archetype. Our tutorial in addition to describing the skills will tell you how to develop them, and what related best features are worth unlocking.
How to increase skill: This skill can be increased by blocking enemy attacks and hitting them with your shield. The growth of the skill depends on how much damage the hero has received or taken.
Main purpose of developing this skill: Receiving less damage and lowering the chances of being staggered after a successful block.
Available perks: 13.
Best perks: Shield Wall, Quick Reflexes, Elemental Protection.
Comments:
- The main character doesn't block enemy hits automatically, so you must remember each time to raise the shield manually, because only then you'll receive less damage and perform an activity required to develop this skill. You should also take some time to practice recognizing normal blows from powerful ones.
- Hitting enemies with a shield works like a counter move, so you'll have to perform the attack before the opponent manages to finish his own. An interesting thing to know is that counterattacks don't require a shield, because you can perform them with a one-handed and even two-handed weapons.
- If you're more interested in increasing the effectiveness of your blocks you should focus on unlocking perks from the left side of the constellation and if you're more interested in performing successful counterattacks you should focus on unlocking perks from the right side of the constellation.
- SHIELD WALL
- QUICK REFLEXES
- DEFLECT ARROWS
- ELEMENTAL PROTECTION
- BLOCK RUNNER
- POWER BASH
- DEADLY BASH
- DISARMING BASH
- SHIELD CHARGE
SHIELD WALL
This perk has five ranks and each time you unlock a new rank it gets better.
Requirements (rank 1): None.
Requirements (rank 2): Block skill increased to at least 20 points.
Requirements (rank 3): Block skill increased to at least 40 points.
Requirements (rank 4): Block skill increased to at least 60 points.
Requirements (rank 5): Block skill increased to at least 80 points.
Description (rank 1); Blocking is more effective by 20%.
Description (rank 2); Blocking is more effective by a total of 25%.
Description (rank 3); Blocking is more effective by a total of 30%.
Description (rank 4); Blocking is more effective by a total of 35%.
Description (rank 5); Blocking is more effective by a total of 40%.
Comments: It's a good idea to regularly unlock new perks from this group, especially if your character is constantly travelling with a shield.
QUICK REFLEXES
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 30 points. Unlocked Shield Wall perk (rank 1).
Description: Time automatically slows downs when an opponent launches a powerful attack.
Comments: This is one of the most useful perks from this category, because enemies like to use power attacks very often. Having this perk allows you to respond to these actions much easier, whether it's a normal block or an attempt to make a counterattack.
DEFLECT ARROWS
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 30 points. Unlocked Shield Wall perk (rank 1).
Description: No damage received if an enemy arrow hits the shield.
Comments: This perk may come in handy since a lot of battles feature enemy archers. You can additionally increase the effectiveness of this perk by equipping your character with a larger shield and therefore being able to stop more arrows.
ELEMENTAL PROTECTION
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 50 points. Unlocked Deflect Arrows perk.
Description: 50% less fire, frost and shock damage received if the attack was blocked with a shield.
Comments: This is the best perk from this entire category and it's useful during A LOT of battles, especially if you're going against monsters and enemy mages. Receiving less damage allows to easier survive on the battlefield and to approach your targets without having to worry about weak resistance to elemental damage.
BLOCK RUNNER
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 70 points. Unlocked Elemental Protection perk.
Description: Ability of moving fast with a raised shield.
Comments: Despite what you might think this is a quite useful perk, because it allows you to get closer to enemy archers and mages much safer, without having to worry about receiving a lot of damage due to the fact that the main character's shield is lowered.
POWER BASH
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 30 points. Unlocked Shield Wall perk (rank 1).
Description: Ability of performing power bashes.
Comments: It's important to remember that all kinds of bashes (the ones done with a shield and the ones done with a one/two-handed weapon) count towards developing the main skill. They also stop enemy attacks, but they don't do a lot of damage on their own, so they must be followed by normal attack.
DEADLY BASH
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 50 points. Unlocked Power Bash perk.
Description: Five times more damage dealt with a bashing hit.
Comments: This isn't a useful perk, because even the improved counterattacks don't deal a lot of damage and their main purpose is to interfere with an enemy attack.
DISARMING BASH
Requirements: Block skill increased to at least 70 points. Unlocked Deadly Bash perk.
Description: Chance of disarming an opponent with a powerful bash.
Comments: This is an interesting perk which may come in handy during battles with enemy warriors. It's not absolutely necessary to have it, because one of the dragon shouts offers a similar result and it always ends with a success (in this case you must rely on luck).
SHIELD CHARGE
Requirements: Block skill increased to 100 points. Unlocked Block Runner perk or Disarming Bash perk.
Description: Possibility of knocking down most of the targets while running with a raised shield.
Comments: This perk works best with Block Runner which unlocks the possibility of running with a shield. As for its usefulness, you might find it very helpful while fighting larger groups of enemies in small areas.