cRPG

cRPG => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jyro24 on March 12, 2012, 02:03:04 am

Title: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Jyro24 on March 12, 2012, 02:03:04 am
Any tips for a noob trying to learn how to block?
Anythings appreciated thx 
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: SeQuel on March 12, 2012, 02:10:17 am
Join duel servers and get use to manual blocking. You can't just become good at it it takes time that's for sure. Practice practice practice.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Zanze on March 12, 2012, 02:11:49 am
Open native. Click Tutorial. Go to veteran spar fella. Turn game speed to slowest.

Ask him to spar, never counter attack. Only block standing at first, then move around. Feeling lucky? Increase speed.

Rinse and repeat until you block him in your sleep at the fastest setting. Congratulations, you are now ready for the duel server. Begin sparring.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Gurnisson on March 12, 2012, 02:13:01 am
Congratulations, you are now ready for the duel server. Begin sparring.

You might try to start out vs. the trainer on Nditions Duel Server first, before dueling real players.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: TurmoilTom on March 12, 2012, 02:15:01 am
When I first started I felt as though lowering my sensitivity helped my blocking, so I kept a low sensetivity and gradually increased it as I got better so I could turn faster.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: karasu on March 12, 2012, 02:18:38 am
Single player arenas help a lot too.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: DeadlyDick on March 12, 2012, 03:03:10 am
tutorial + slow motion cheat for super noobs
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Slamz on March 12, 2012, 03:36:42 am
My opinion:

1) Use a shield and learn "footwork" -- how to best move and swing at people

2) Once you are good at footwork, switch to 2H and learn manual blocking

I think half of blocking is understanding footwork.  Once you understand how that works, you can instinctively block based on movement, knowing that the position they're in isn't good for a right swing but would be perfect for a left swing and they have a non-stabbing weapon, that sort of thing.

If you just go in cold and try to block based on arm movements, it's going to be a hard road.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Angantyr on March 12, 2012, 04:44:34 am
I'd argue for focusing on blocking as the very first thing in this game, first learn to defend yourself, shield or not, then focus on attacks, the leg work will come naturally when block training. Nothing as pitiful as a shielder who cannot manual block.

A day or two to get the basics into your muscle memory, then 10-20 minutes of pure blocking on medium or fastest against the tutorial trainers every day before going to duel servers and you should be a somewhat consistent blocker within the week.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Earthdforce on March 12, 2012, 05:12:09 am
Join duel servers and get use to manual blocking. You can't just become good at it it takes time that's for sure. Practice practice practice.
Yes, this definitely. I started out as a shielder, bad idea. It took me weeks (of practicing almost every day) to learn how to manual block, and one day I just got it. Eventually you'll get up to the chambering level, but that's a whole nother step
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Rhaelys on March 12, 2012, 05:28:17 am
Learn footwork, first.

Trying to learn how to manual block one of four possible attack directions is really, really difficult. If you have a decent grasp of movement and footwork, as well as the flow of melee combat, manual blocking becomes much easier. Still, much practice in the duel server is essential.

I played a 1H Shielder for about 6 months before I even tried to manual block. Then one day I picked up a two-handed sword in the duel server and just learned manual blocking. Having experience with a shielder taught me the fundamentals of movement, footwork, and melee combat flow, which made the process of learning how to manual block much easier.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vibe on March 12, 2012, 08:21:54 am
Also make sure your mouse sensitivity is low when you're still learning how to block, then increase it as you get better.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Casimir on March 12, 2012, 09:36:45 am
Go pure strength for 6 gens, gradually you'll learn that blocking is necessary and you'll start doing it.

Worked for me.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Leshma on March 12, 2012, 09:54:06 am
I would give you an advice but first I need to learn how to manual block myself.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: The_Bloody_Nine on March 12, 2012, 01:00:05 pm
tutorial helps a lot IMO, then duels much later. The one thing I remember that helped me doing any blocking at all and getting better was to force myself NOT to block before I see and recognize the enemy swing. Do not try to anticipate the correct block before the enemy even starts his attack.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: FRANK_THE_TANK on March 12, 2012, 01:14:29 pm
Point then click, never the other way around. I advise trying to reaction speed block at first and then once your sick of being killed start learning how to bridge the gap.

And once you've got that down start learning to chamber block, its basically swinging into your opponents swing, diflecting it and causing a block + a follow through swing.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Kafein on March 12, 2012, 01:20:47 pm
Go play SP. The arena provides a good blocking practice. Bots are actually less predictable than humans when it comes to attack directions so you'll learn the hard way.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Anal Bleeding on March 12, 2012, 02:39:01 pm
playing on single player won't help because there is no server lag or ping.
just go to a siege server and go naked with a practice longsword and try to block everyone.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: MrShine on March 12, 2012, 02:53:48 pm
I actually do not subscribe to the theory of jumping into the manual blocking fire as a new player.

Manual blocking takes a long time to learn, and if you decide to go the route of the 2H/pole as a complete newbie expect to get consistently and immediately destroyed by the majority of the playerbase.   No one wants to get murdered continuously a few seconds into every fight, people will just quit the game for something else.

Instead I recommend being a shielder if you are new to the game and want to participate in melee, that way you can get a feel for the timing of swings and at least can participate a little more in fights.  As Rhaelys said getting an understanding of footwork is very important, and who knows you might even be able to get a few kills!

If you insist on going 2H/pole starting out I strongly recommend stacking strength and having a build like 30/9, something to absorb a bunch of blows.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: reaperkiller on March 12, 2012, 03:03:31 pm
yes i agree.....  if you start as a  pole and 2hd is a bad idea.

personally i started as a shielder 21/18 was my build and when my shield was destroyed i usually  got raped but slowly and steady when this kept happening i noticed my blocking was becoming really easier . one day i retired picked up a 2 hd  and after an hour of duels server i was raping with 2 hd as a weebo my old friend .   soo start as a shielder mate!!!
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Gnjus on March 12, 2012, 03:03:51 pm
Just look for a chap named ivani4, he'll teach you all you need to know about blocking.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vibe on March 12, 2012, 03:05:00 pm
Just look for a chap named ivani4, he'll teach you all you need to know about blocking.

best
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Gravoth_iii on March 12, 2012, 03:09:46 pm
Just look for a chap named ivani4, he'll teach you all you need to know about blocking.

Haha, true dat.

Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Dan lol on March 12, 2012, 03:09:59 pm
people who go shielder before learning to manual block are the reason there are so many "1h's are slower than 2h/pole!" threads

Just pick up a big sword and work on it until you get it
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Herkkutatti666 on March 12, 2012, 03:14:45 pm
press right mouse button  :wink:
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Leshma on March 12, 2012, 03:25:06 pm
Learning how to block doesn't take too much time, now almost everyone knows how to do it.

If you're NA come to EU duel or if you're EU go to NA duel server and play there for a week. It will be extremely painful, you'll die all the time, you'll be frustrated but eventually when you come back to normal ping you'll be one of the better blockers on the battlefield.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: SixThumbs on March 12, 2012, 03:40:55 pm
The most important part of learning martial arts is your 50kg turtle shell.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vodner on March 12, 2012, 03:51:10 pm
If you're NA come to EU duel or if you're EU go to NA duel server and play there for a week. It will be extremely painful, you'll die all the time, you'll be frustrated but eventually when you come back to normal ping you'll be one of the better blockers on the battlefield.
I find that blocking isn't a huge problem with EU ping (140-160ms for me). The biggest problem is that player positions aren't accurate, so you'll constantly find yourself missing entirely, phasing through your opponent, or glancing. It's also very difficult to counter quickly enough to prevent hiltslashes.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Gurnisson on March 12, 2012, 03:54:46 pm
I find that blocking isn't a huge problem with EU ping (140-160ms for me). The biggest problem is that player positions aren't accurate, so you'll constantly find yourself missing entirely, phasing through your opponent, or glancing. It's also very difficult to counter quickly enough to prevent hiltslashes.

This. I play NA from time to time and blocking is no problem. Teleporting and positioning/glancing is the problem. However, it's right what Leshma says, you will become a better blocker by playing with a bad computer/bad ping for a while. I experienced that when I had my laptop for repair for a few weeks, played on an awful computer, and I felt like an autoblocker when my laptop returned. :lol:
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vibe on March 12, 2012, 03:56:07 pm
Agree. Even going from 70 ping to 40 ping was noticable for me.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vibe on March 12, 2012, 04:36:36 pm
I feel the same. Anything above 80 hampers your blocking and feints, above 120 it's practically unplayable in melee.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Leshma on March 12, 2012, 04:45:17 pm
I find that blocking isn't a huge problem with EU ping (140-160ms for me). The biggest problem is that player positions aren't accurate, so you'll constantly find yourself missing entirely, phasing through your opponent, or glancing. It's also very difficult to counter quickly enough to prevent hiltslashes.

You're right. That's exactly how it looks. Good thing I'm used to it, it's always like that for me, no matter am I on NA or EU server. Actually on NA server I have stable 145 ping while on EU1 it goes from 40-60 during night time to 80-110 when server is near full.

That's why I'm pretty crappy dueler but still can rack decent amount of kills. Blocking and dueling skills are just part of the puzzle, another one is build and gear and your understanding of it, third one is cunning. That's why I hate archers so much, there are crafty bastards just like I am :D
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Grumbs on March 12, 2012, 05:05:27 pm
Starting as a shielder probably has its merits as mentioned, but for me half the fun is the manual directional blocking system. I learned to play the game as a 2 hander and it is hard, but its pretty satisfying when you start getting some kills. Blocking just becomes second nature if you learn it early.

Polearm might be easier to learn with because you can take a point or 2 in shield and can take a break from manual blocking if you want while still attacking (get some spear type weapons for this). As a new player you can play a support role with polearms too, just stabbing from distance without committing to a fight. 2 handers are fine though and really force you to learn to block. 2 hander + crossbow might be good for taking breaks while still being semi useful for the team. I would get some speed for whichever you go for and some IF rather than the str builds people mentioned. Taking more hits is cool but you can avoid hits by dodging or escape from someone chasing with 6+ athletics. 5 is ok too, I just ended up with 6 in most my gens
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Bongo Fury on March 12, 2012, 06:33:54 pm
Starting as a shielder probably has its merits as mentioned, but for me half the fun is the manual directional blocking system. I learned to play the game as a 2 hander and it is hard, but its pretty satisfying when you start getting some kills. Blocking just becomes second nature if you learn it early.

Polearm might be easier to learn with because you can take a point or 2 in shield and can take a break from manual blocking if you want while still attacking (get some spear type weapons for this). As a new player you can play a support role with polearms too, just stabbing from distance without committing to a fight. 2 handers are fine though and really force you to learn to block. 2 hander + crossbow might be good for taking breaks while still being semi useful for the team. I would get some speed for whichever you go for and some IF rather than the str builds people mentioned. Taking more hits is cool but you can avoid hits by dodging or escape from someone chasing with 6+ athletics. 5 is ok too, I just ended up with 6 in most my gens

I agree, much better to do what you originally want and just dive in at the deep end, yes its sometimes fustrating as a 2h, but its much more satisfying playing at higher stakes. i honestly can't play shielder anymore, it bores me.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Mosquito on March 12, 2012, 10:11:28 pm
pick something you like to play is most important because its gonna be boring learning anything

i went to the duel servers alot and i was lucky enough to find someone willing to show how to fight with wooden practice sword.........i'm still crappy, but that aint their fault its mine.

I went back today and there were practice swords:) seems the good traditions continue....awwww, what a lovely community we have :twisted:
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Smoothrich on March 12, 2012, 10:15:47 pm
Learning how to block doesn't take too much time, now almost everyone knows how to do it.

If you're NA come to EU duel or if you're EU go to NA duel server and play there for a week. It will be extremely painful, you'll die all the time, you'll be frustrated but eventually when you come back to normal ping you'll be one of the better blockers on the battlefield.

Playing in a high ping environment is much like Goku's hyperbolic time chamber.  One hour of high ping training is like one day of normal training.  If you truly want to push your abilities as a warrior to the limit, enter the china servers.  Don't forget your senzu beans.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Kafein on March 12, 2012, 10:16:11 pm
Just look for a chap named ivani4, he'll teach you all you need to know about blocking.

Ivani4 is the best Mac player at this game.

Btw, Kapikulu and many shielders also have a tendency to attack first and think after. But at least it works because they react quickly.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Boerenlater on March 12, 2012, 10:50:08 pm
Playing in a high ping environment is much like Goku's hyperbolic time chamber.  One hour of high ping training is like one day of normal training.  If you truly want to push your abilities as a warrior to the limit, enter the china servers.  Don't forget your senzu beans.
With 450 ping there you have no chance, you don't even see the attacks coming. And I tried playing there.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: MrShine on March 12, 2012, 11:29:11 pm
With 450 ping there you have no chance, you don't even see the attacks coming. And I tried playing there.

Your power level is too low.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Kafein on March 12, 2012, 11:33:05 pm
Your power level is too low.

My ping is over 9 seconds.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Rhaelys on March 13, 2012, 12:49:08 am
My ping is over 9 seconds.

(click to show/hide)
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: 22nd_King_Plazek on March 13, 2012, 01:21:08 am
I played NA for first month or two cause that is all there was in early Warband beta. I also used the tutorial a lot in single player as well as chose to practically never used shields ever.
I used to be pretty good but nowadays I am very rusty.

The tutorial really is the best advice.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Herr_Thomas on March 13, 2012, 05:33:23 am
Watch the hands of your opponent.

I tell everyone I know this and it works.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Xtrah on March 13, 2012, 01:32:32 pm
Started out with just practicing. This helped me out quite a lot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jHcZjWw9U

Check out the other vids of reapy (http://www.youtube.com/user/reapy) too, quite good. But playing and practicing is the only way imho. You can't really get taught by a video, it's like reading an instruction book through for so to do it.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Largg on March 13, 2012, 01:43:45 pm
Started out with just practicing. This helped me out quite a lot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jHcZjWw9U

Check out the other vids of reapy (http://www.youtube.com/user/reapy) too, quite good. But playing and practicing is the only way imho. You can't really get taught by a video, it's like reading an instruction book through for so to do it.

Good video, I remember watching that in awe when I first started playing.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Radament on March 13, 2012, 02:02:02 pm
just go to nditions duel server (native) and start by the trainer (only blocking). when the easy trainer is too low for you , go ahead to the next one till you end with the champion fighter (spammer ai with insane attack speed) , don't try it , just duel some player with medium skill then try the better ones.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Vibe on March 13, 2012, 02:04:59 pm
And then you'll be ready to take on King Harlaus from Swadian duel server.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Laufknoten on March 13, 2012, 02:13:45 pm
My tip is to play with light equipment. If you die by one hit you are forced to block better if you want to stay alive. Sometimes it's frustrating when you hit an enemy 5 times and he kills you with one lucky hit, but at least you can say to yourself that you would have won the fight, if he had the same gear. :D
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: MrShine on March 13, 2012, 02:51:40 pm
My tip is to play with light equipment. If you die by one hit you are forced to block better if you want to stay alive. Sometimes it's frustrating when you hit an enemy 5 times and he kills you with one lucky hit, but at least you can say to yourself that you would have won the fight, if he had the same gear. :D

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I actually think it's much better for a beginner to play as a strength/plate crutcher first as they are very forgiving.  A beginner is going to make a bunch of blocking mistakes, and the only way to learn is to play, not die in the first few seconds of every round  :wink:

As someone else said you might be able to get away with not blocking for awhile but eventually you'll learn the need to block, plus you'll have a lot more opportunities to practice it when people will need to hit you 5+ times to kill you instead of 1 or 2.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Leshma on March 13, 2012, 05:53:25 pm
Good video, I remember watching that in awe when I first started playing.

Me too. I never thought I would be able to do that.
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Radament on March 13, 2012, 09:12:38 pm
And then you'll be ready to take on King Harlaus from Swadian duel server.

lol that bot remembers me gnjus with 400 wpf :P
Title: Re: Blocking Tips?
Post by: Laufknoten on March 13, 2012, 11:36:33 pm
I'm not trying to start an argument, but I actually think it's much better for a beginner to play as a strength/plate crutcher first as they are very forgiving.  A beginner is going to make a bunch of blocking mistakes, and the only way to learn is to play, not die in the first few seconds of every round  :wink:

As someone else said you might be able to get away with not blocking for awhile but eventually you'll learn the need to block, plus you'll have a lot more opportunities to practice it when people will need to hit you 5+ times to kill you instead of 1 or 2.
Okay, that's true. But if your blocking skills are at an average level this is a good practise to become better imo. Also I'm only talking about siege (team deathmatch/respawn), in battle it's better to wear atleast medium armor, just for all the ranged.
Battle isn't good for blocking practise at all. Most of the time it's ganging, backstabbing and clusterfuck, situations where blocking isn't really needed.