Blocking

Blocking is a gameplay mechanic that allows players to block several forms of damage using a shield.

Usage

Java Edition

Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Using one causes the player to slow to a sneaking pace, and after 5 ticks (0.25 seconds)[1], blockable attacks and knockback coming from the front of the player are negated. Any effects from the attacker (e.g. wither or fire) do not afflict the defender. A successful block is indicated by a sound and the shield taking damage.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non-magical projectiles, damage from Thorns, and all explosions. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, drowning or splash potions. Shields partially block the laser attack from guardians and elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

In 25w04a, blocking was introduced as an item component named blocks_attacks for all items, not exclusively shields.[2]

Bedrock Edition

Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Crouching (sneaking, flying downward, or moving downward in water) activates the shield. Shields also automatically activate when riding mobs, and there is no way to prevent the shield from being activated when riding mobs.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non magic projectiles, damage from Thorns, and all explosions except TNT lit by the player or from a redstone mechanism. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, freezing or burning in lava. Shields partially block the laser attack from guardians and elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

Sounds

Java Edition:

Sounds
SoundSubtitlesSourceDescriptionResource locationTranslation keyVolumePitchAttenuation
distance
​Shield blocksPlayersWhen an attack is blocked using a shielditem.shield.blocksubtitles.item.shield.block​1.00.8-1.216

Bedrock Edition:

Sounds
SoundSourceDescriptionResource locationVolumePitch
PlayersWhen an attack is blocked using a shielditem.shield.block0.71.0

Advancements

IconAdvancementIn-game descriptionActual requirements (if different)
Not Today, Thank YouDeflect a projectile with a ShieldBlock any projectile with a shield.

History

Java Edition Beta
1.8Pre-releaseAdded sword blocking, which at the time could be activated by using a sword. Also, blocking negated only 50% of incoming damage, rather than 100%.
Pre-release 2 ;)Blocking now correctly reduces damage in multiplayer.
Java Edition
1.0.0Beta 1.9 PrereleaseBlocking now moves the player's hand, unlike previous versions, in which blocking moved just the sword.
The player no longer rises faster underwater when blocking.
Blocking no longer decreases fall damage. Blocking previously allowed the player to fall 42 blocks without dying, instead of 22.
1.814w30aThird person blocking position tweaked.
Blocking while mining has been made impossible.
Blocking immediately after attacking no longer continues the swing animation.
1.915w33cThe blocking functionality of swords was removed and is replaced with the functionality of shields.
15w34cWhen an attack is blocked by a shield, the attacker is knocked back.
Being attacked with an axe may disable the shield for 5 seconds.
15w37aCooldown reduced from 0.5 seconds to 0.25 seconds.
Blocking now prevents some side effects like being set on fire when being hit by a mob that's on fire.
Arrows now ricochet off shields.
15w47bAdded shield blocking sounds.
16w07aAdded more variation of shield blocking sounds.
1.1116w35aShields now block 100% damage/knockback/debuff.
1.1418w43aDue to a bug, shields no longer repel attackers when blocking.[3]
1.19.322w43aShields can now properly block all explosions.
1.21.525w04aBlocking is introduced to all items through item components. Shields are still the only item capable of blocking by default.
Bedrock Edition
1.10.0beta 1.10.0.3Added the ability to block with shields, which can be activated by crouching or riding mobs.
1.20.80Preview 1.20.80.22Shields can now partially block damage from guardians and elder guardians laser beams.
Legacy Console Edition
Xbox 360Xbox OnePS3PS4PS VitaWii USwitch
TU5CU11.001.001.00Patch 11.0.1Added the ability to block with swords.
TU24CU121.161.161.16Third person blocking position tweaked.
TU31CU191.221.221.22Patch 3Blocking while mining has been made impossible.
TU57CU491.571.561.56Patch 271.0.7Taking damage that is reduced by unenchanted armor while blocking with a sword now makes the shield blocking sound.
1.90 Added the ability to block with shields.
1.91Removed the ability to block with swords.

Issues

Issues relating to "Blocking" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed there.

Trivia

  • Blocking allows for the slowest movements possible. This can occur when the player blocks, sneaks, and moves backward while under the effect of Slowness while going through cobwebs placed above still water on top of soul sand that is placed on top of ice. This causes the player to move at about 1/200 blocks a second, or 2/25 pixel a second (1 pixel every 12-13s) on a default 16×16 texture pack. Blocking while sneaking and with the additional events (but without slowness potion) allows the player go at roughly 0.023854961832 blocks per second (1 block every 41.92 seconds).‌
  • It is impossible to block attacks on the New Nintendo 3DS Edition, as both shields and sword blocking are absent from the game.

Gallery

Screenshots

  • A player holding a shield while blocking.
    A player holding a shield while blocking.

See also

References

  1. ↑ MC-100949 — Shield blocking is delayed
  2. ↑ Minecraft Snapshot 25w04a
  3. ↑ MC-147694

Navigation

  • v
  • t
  • e
Gameplay
General mechanics
Survival
Combat
Environment

More

Movement
User interface
Visuals
Outdated Sword blocking
This article is issued from Minecraft Wiki. The text is available under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.