Blocking

 is a combat mechanic in Outward related to Stability and Impact.

Effects and Properties

 * Blocking prevents all damage to Health from melee attacks or physical projectiles.
 * Gauntlets only reduce damage taken by 90%.
 * Only certain skills can block magical blasts (see below).
 * Blocking will increase the players maximum stability by 50%, indicated by the the small shield symbol next to the stability bar, and the bar turning orange.
 * Weapons gain the same 50% bonus as shields, so blocking with even basic starting weapons can be surprisingly effective.
 * Shields also grant bonus impact resistance, which will continue to apply even if the guard meter is depleted.
 * When blocking, you will lose Stamina equivalent to 1/8th of the impact you received from the attack. So with higher impact resistance, blocking will consume less stamina.

Projectiles

 * Magical projectiles can often be blocked with Shields, but not by blocking with other Weapons.

Magic Blocking Skills
Magic Blocking Skills can block any attack, including magical blasts.


 * Brace
 * Mace Infusion
 * Shield Infusion

Parry Skills
Parrying skills will block melee attacks, and then counter with an attack in response.


 * Counterstrike
 * Pommel Counter
 * Serpent's Parry
 * Simeon's Gambit