Block

The art of blocking an enemy's blows with a shield or weapon. You can block attacks with a shield or equipped weapon by holding . You can only block with a one-handed weapon if the weapon is in your right hand and your left hand is empty. If you are wielding two weapons, you can't block at all.

A blocked blow or arrow will still do some damage, and use up some stamina. Enemy power attacks cannot be fully blocked, though their damage and staggering effects will be reduced. Shields are more effective at blocking than weapons, and can also block arrow damage.

As your Block skill increases, you can block attacks more effectively, and with less of a stamina cost. You can also select perks that allow you to reduce the damage of spells and dragon breath attacks.

While blocking, you can perform a bash attack. Continue to hold and tap to perform a Quick Bash that has a chance of staggering enemies. Hold and hold to perform a stronger Power Bash that sends enemies flying. Both kinds of bashes require Stamina; if your Stamina bar is too low, you cannot bash.

Strategies

Block quick, lighter attacks. Bash power attacks, or when an enemy's defenses are down, then quickly counterattack with a flurry of light attacks or a power attack of your own. This skill can also be augmented with potions which Fortify Blocking

Perks

Perks	Requirements	Description (Ranks)
Shield Wall	None	Blocking is 20% more effective.
	Block 20	Blocking is 25% more effective.
	Block 40	Blocking is 30% more effective.
	Block 60	Blocking is 35% more effective.
	Block 80	Blocking is 40% more effective.
Power Bash	Block 30, Shield Wall	Able to do a power bash.
Quick Reflexes	Block 30, Shield Wall	Time slows down if you are blocking during an enemy's power attack.
Deflect Arrows	Block 30, Shield Wall	Arrows that hit the shield do no damage.
Deadly Bash	Block 50, Power Bash	Bashing does more damage.
Disarming Bash	Block 50, Deadly Bash	Chance to disarm when power bashing with a shield.
Elemental Protection	Block 50, Deflect Arrows	Blocking with a shield reduces incoming fire, frost, and shock damage by 50%.
Block Runner	Block 70, Elemental Protection	Able to move faster with a shield or weapon raised.
Shield Charge	Block 100, Disarming Bash or Block Runner	Sprinting with a shield raised knocks down most targets.

Trainers

• Njada Stonearm at Jorrvaskr in Whiterun
• Chief Larak at Mor Khazgur

Skillbooks

• Battle of Red Mountain
• A Dance in Fire, v1
• A Dance in Fire, v2
• Death Blow of Abernanit
• The Mirror
• Warrior

Apparel

Minor Blocking	Blocking	Major Blocking	Eminent Blocking	Exteme Blocking	Peerless Blocking
Amulet of Stendarr Banded Iron Shield Hide Shield Imperial Light Shield Iron Shield Necklace Ring Steel Shield	Banded Iron Shield Dwarven Shield Elven Shield Hide Shield Imperial Light Shield Iron Shield Necklace Ring Steel Shield	Banded Iron Shield Dwarven Shield Ebony Shield Elven Shield Glass Shield Hide Shield Imperial Light Shield Iron Shield Necklace Orcish Shield Ring Steel Shield	Daedric Shield Dragonplate Shield Dragonscale Shield Dwarven Shield Ebony Shield Elven Shield Glass Shield Necklace Orcish Shield Ring	Daedric Shield Dragonplate Shield Dragonscale Shield Ebony Shield Glass Shield Necklace Orcish Shield Ring	Daedric Shield Dragonplate Shield Dragonscale Shield Necklace Ring Shield of Solitude