Blocking

[PauliniusX]

Hi
Because Im not too good at blocking yet, I wondered what setting most people used for blocking, mouse direction? Keys direction? autoblock? Which is most effective and user friendly?

[Vodner]

The vast majority of players use the mouse for both blocking and attacking.

Ordyn in native used keyboard blocking, and Hayley used keyboard attacks (of all things). I think Sarah from native switched to keyboard attacks a while back. Other than that, I can't think of any notable keyboard users on the NA side of things.

[dynamike]

Mouse, except if you are the guy that posted above me - he could pretty much use a touchpad or a track ball and would still block everything.

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He's pretty darn good and a long time native player, that's why he's throwing all kinds of names that will not tell you anything at you 

[no_rules_just_play]

rico used keyboard i remember.

[JackieChan]

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If you have trouble blocking, you should go shielder for a bit, you dont have to complicate your life with blocking and you can get better at other things such as foot work ect..

Personnaly i use mouse block.

[Algarn]

If you use autoblock, you deserve a ban ^^ For improve your blockin skills , you should train on duel server with wood swords, or train in siege without shield.

The blocking style I recommand for begineers is blocking with mouse , only elite duelers can block and attack with keyboard.

[Panos]

PauliniusX, you don`t need to learn to block, I`ve seen you earlier on EU1, keep on spamming that longsword of yours buddy.

[TR_Ragnarok]

I use Keyboard for attack directions and mouse for blocking.
I use keyboard because I feel I have more of a control over where I want to swing, When I first switched over to keyboard I noticed it can drastically affect your footwork you just need to get use to it.(A week or two you should be able to adept.)  I find it very hard to switch back to mouse because I sometimes spazz out when I'm using the mouse for both attack and block so that's why I made the switch.

[PauliniusX]

Thanks Panos....I think! What do you mean by "spamming with the long sword"?

[Boerenlater]

Shield + right mouse button. You never need to be good at blocking anymore.
That's how I lost the little no shield blocking ability I had.

[//saxon]

you get the odd player that used keyboard to block like Cicero did in the age of kings many years ago.

[Lennu]

Autoblocking works only on singleplayer. Unless you're hacking of course 

Anyway, mouse movement for attacking and blocking is the best IMO. Reversed mouse movement for attacking if you want to be a "left handed" fighter of Mount & Blade. Most players will learn to read your attacks by the way your turn your character around, so reversing your attacks can give some extra edge.

I suggest that to get better at blocking you either ask someone to teach you (many clans have players that will be glad to train you a bit). This way you can stat slow, and as you get better you just ask him to add some feints or attack faster. Or you can go to a Native server called Nditions Duel Server (located on EU). There is a bot somewhere who was made just for blocking practice. He attacks really fast, but is using a wooden sword    Really good way to get good at basic blocking.

[Zanze]

(Mouse movement)

Use a shield for some time to accustom yourself first to the idea of pressing the RMB when you see an incoming attack. It is the easiest way then just throwing yourself into the fray with a two hander. Once you can successfully block with a shield, boot up native. Open up the tutorial in native and go duel with the people there. Start with the settings on slow speeds and ask one of the duelists for a duel, not blocking practice. Once the duel starts, block as long as you can and never return a blow. Do this for about ~15 minutes before you start playing crpg. In a week or less you will be able to block effectively.

Later down your crpg career if you want to learn chambering, do this exact method again. Except this time, instead of blocking you are only allowed to defend yourself via chamber. In a week you'll be able to chamber like a god with that staff, but it works differently with the other weapons. For that you need to go to the duel server and practice chambering. However, learning to block and learning to chamber will not be everything in being a good player. Footwork is essential, and that you can only get by playing crpg more often. Watch how people move and turn into swings, or away from swings. Example you block right when the attack needed a left block, you can actually turn left and your right block will block the attack. Though, that is very advanced.

Regardless of the tips given by everyone here, the secret to blocking is...

Muscle Memory.

In a nutshell:
Use a shield to get used to noticing incoming attacks and reacting by pressing RMB. (If you want you can move your mouse in the proper direction here too, if it works you block, if it doesn't you block. Either way, you get more used to blocking.)

Boot up Native and duel the instructors in the tutorial for ~15 minutes every time you will play crpg.

Never attack them, only block until you die.

Repeat this for a week or two, or until you feel comfortable blocking.

If you want to learn to chamber later on, repeat this method.

Do not ignore footwork.

It will take time to learn, muscle memory is how you will block the most effective. Practice, practice, practice.

[PauliniusX]

All excellent advice/tips. Thanks guys!