How do I make use of blocking as a sword and shield tank?

Zombocalypse

So there is blocking in this game. The question is, how do I make the most of it? How does that work?

So, I taunt enemies so they will stay away from my friends, and then block while they attack me so I get less damage? But then what about the need for me to attack them? Why block if I should attack?

What's the use of blocking and what's it for when I also need to attack?

Thanks.

LunaFlora

you block so your friends don't get the damage

Sarannah

The basic of blocking is reducing the incoming damage you take.

Blocking reduces the damage you take from the attack(s) you are blocking, blocking costs stamina. If you also want to attack, make sure to only block for short periods of time during an actual incoming attack(mob signaled build-up white attacks mostly).

Stamina regen is lowered or completely disabled during blocking(not sure which), so don't hold block forever. When you run out of stamina, block will no longer work either.

Whether you need to attack or should attack depends on the content you are running. In a dungeon noone really expects a tank to do any damage, but if you do the Infinite Archive for instance, both taking and dealing damage is required. But in both cases goes: Time your blocks with incoming attacks, holding block non-stop will make block fail eventually due to running out of stamina.

PS: Every class and every role needs to block if they are under attack from a mob and the mob uses their signaled build-up white attack.

Zombocalypse

Sarannah wrote: »

The basic of blocking is reducing the incoming damage you take.

Blocking reduces the damage you take from the attack(s) you are blocking, blocking costs stamina. If you also want to attack, make sure to only block for short periods of time during an actual incoming attack(mob white attacks mostly).

Stamina regen is lowered or completely disabled during blocking(not sure which), so don't hold block forever. When you run out of stamina, block will no longer work either.

Whether you need to attack or should attack depends on the content you are running. In a dungeon noone really expects a tank to do any damage, but if you do the Infinite Archive for instance, both taking and dealing damage is required. But in both cases goes: Time your blocks with incoming attacks, holding block non-stop will make block fail eventually due to running out of stamina.

PS: Every class and every role needs to block if they are under attack from a mob and the mob uses their signaled build-up white attack.

How do I know that the mob is about to use their so-called "white attack"? And does every mob have one? And how do I know it is, in fact, their "white attack"?

LanteanPegasus

Zombocalypse wrote: »

How do I know that the mob is about to use their so-called "white attack"? And does every mob have one? And how do I know it is, in fact, their "white attack"?

I think by "white attack" they mean a powerful/heavy attack. That an enemy is working up to that is signalled by the game by an aura of white/golden thin lines/beams radiating out of said enemy.
In game, if you go to the Help menu, scroll down to "Combat" and choose "Blocking" you'll see a picture of exactly that.
I think more or less every opponent can make a heavy attack, but of course they are the more dangerous the mightier the enemy is. (So a boss will hit a lot harder with it than some average enemy.)

Zombocalypse

LanteanPegasus wrote: »

Zombocalypse wrote: »

How do I know that the mob is about to use their so-called "white attack"? And does every mob have one? And how do I know it is, in fact, their "white attack"?

I think by "white attack" they mean a powerful/heavy attack. That an enemy is working up to that is signalled by the game by an aura of white/golden thin lines/beams radiating out of said enemy.
In game, if you go to the Help menu, scroll down to "Combat" and choose "Blocking" you'll see a picture of exactly that.

@Sarannah

Is this true, Sarannah?

Soarora

There’s two ways of going about blocking: blocking boss heavy attacks or permablocking. What other comments are mentioning is blocking heavy attacks. In my opinion, I’d start out permablocking and then once you get to know the fight play around with holding block less. Permablocking is when (while you’re not needing to sprint) you hold block continuously, using skills to regenerate your stamina. You can cast any skill that is not channeled while still blocking. Just hold down block and cast your skills normally. Most classes have a way to generate stamina. You need stamina generation, not recovery. You will always have 0 stamina recovery while blocking (unless you’re on an ice staff with trifocus). You can also use an ice staff with the trifocus passive to block with magicka. I would suggest an ice staff back bar regardless for its utility, using trifocus (mag cost block on ice staff) or not (stam cost block on ice staff) is up to you. You can heavy attack using your sword and shield to generate stamina as well, but you can’t do that while blocking.

ArchMikem

"White attack" may mean a non critical hit, as the damage number from such appear on screen in a white font, whereas critical damage appears bold and yellow, but Mobs can't do critical dmg so I don't know why it was even mentioned. Maybe they actually meant a Mob's Heavy Attack? Those have telegraphed cast times you can notice and prepare to block or dodge.

Essentially as Tank, you don't need to constantly block the entire fight. If you have enough armor, you can take basic damage and heal thru it. Blocking also stops stamina regen, so you need to keep your shield down as much as possible to keep your stamina up.

When it comes to attacks with a shield, you can "Block Cast", where you can attack while holding your shield up at the same time, but again this costs you Stamina while not regenerating any.

In ESO, if you're a One Hand and Shield build, people aren't going to expect you to do any damage at all. In group content, equipping a Shield means you're a Tank and only a Tank. You keep enemies focused on you while actual DD's do the hitting. If you prefer to also do damage while equipping a shield, there are ways to build for that, but your ability to Tank enemies lessens considerably, and people will get upset with you if you take that Playstyle into group content. I myself have a for fun 1H&S Damage Dealer build, but I only use it for solo overland.

Sarannah

Zombocalypse wrote: »

LanteanPegasus wrote: »

Zombocalypse wrote: »

How do I know that the mob is about to use their so-called "white attack"? And does every mob have one? And how do I know it is, in fact, their "white attack"?

I think by "white attack" they mean a powerful/heavy attack. That an enemy is working up to that is signalled by the game by an aura of white/golden thin lines/beams radiating out of said enemy.
In game, if you go to the Help menu, scroll down to "Combat" and choose "Blocking" you'll see a picture of exactly that.

@Sarannah

Is this true, Sarannah?

Yes, the signaled build-up white attack that shows white lines around the mob. (red lines means you have to bash them)
And yes, every mob has that type of attack.

Edit: Edited my first post to change white attack to signaled build-up white attack, sorry for the confusion.

virtus753

Sarannah wrote: »

The basic of blocking is reducing the incoming damage you take.

Blocking reduces the damage you take from the attack(s) you are blocking, blocking costs stamina. If you also want to attack, make sure to only block for short periods of time during an actual incoming attack(mob signaled build-up white attacks mostly).

Stamina regen is lowered or completely disabled during blocking(not sure which), so don't hold block forever. When you run out of stamina, block will no longer work either.

Whether you need to attack or should attack depends on the content you are running. In a dungeon noone really expects a tank to do any damage, but if you do the Infinite Archive for instance, both taking and dealing damage is required. But in both cases goes: Time your blocks with incoming attacks, holding block non-stop will make block fail eventually due to running out of stamina.

PS: Every class and every role needs to block if they are under attack from a mob and the mob uses their signaled build-up white attack.

The stamina recovery stat is reduced to 0 while bracing (holding block, regardless of taking a blow), unless you are holding an ice staff with Tri Focus taken, in which case it’s mag recovery that’s set to 0.

That said, there are ways to regenerate stamina outside of the recovery stat that still work through block.

Certain classes can generate stam over time with skills: Rune Focus for Templars, Netch for Warden, etc. These are not part of the recovery stat, so they work through block but do not benefit from multiplier buffs (Major and Minor Endurance). Repentance can return stam too, although you’ll need corpses around to activate it.

The Constitution passive returns stam (along with mag) for being hit. The Undaunted Command passive also gives stam, mag, and health whenever you take a synergy, which you can do while holding block.

darvaria

I use a nice little add on "Am I Blocking" and it shows. Can't remember where original block is but I hot key to a more convenient key. That add on shows "Block" beside the shield. You can also just see the little shield thing too to know you are still blocking. PVP tanks stack reinforced and use the enchant on jewelry too.

Amottica

Zombocalypse wrote: »

Sarannah wrote: »

The basic of blocking is reducing the incoming damage you take.

Blocking reduces the damage you take from the attack(s) you are blocking, blocking costs stamina. If you also want to attack, make sure to only block for short periods of time during an actual incoming attack(mob white attacks mostly).

Stamina regen is lowered or completely disabled during blocking(not sure which), so don't hold block forever. When you run out of stamina, block will no longer work either.

Whether you need to attack or should attack depends on the content you are running. In a dungeon noone really expects a tank to do any damage, but if you do the Infinite Archive for instance, both taking and dealing damage is required. But in both cases goes: Time your blocks with incoming attacks, holding block non-stop will make block fail eventually due to running out of stamina.

PS: Every class and every role needs to block if they are under attack from a mob and the mob uses their signaled build-up white attack.

How do I know that the mob is about to use their so-called "white attack"? And does every mob have one? And how do I know it is, in fact, their "white attack"?

As someone noted, they likely mean a charged powerful attack when they say white attack.

Strong attacks tend to be telegraphed, and often, there is a thing the boss does before such an attack, such as pulling a sword back. If you do not see any attacks being telegraphed with ground markings, the setting may be off.

Blocking and moving out of telegraphed damage is for every player and character, regardless of the role. As you get used to using your skills and become more familiar with the content, you will find yourself blocking it only when you are expecting an attack.

Dodge Roll is also a tank's friend. Completely evading the attack means the damage was avoided. Some attacks need to be avoided one way or another. Mostly in the more challenging content.

Have fun with it.

kargen27

Tanks usually beyond holding taunt provide buffs to the group or debuffs to the evil doers instead of doing damage. Kind of a learn as you go thing. Some of those evil doers have an animation that says, hold on this is going to hurt. After you see it a couple of times you know what to look for and how to react.
Eventually you will figure out where to position the boss so the rest of the group takes little damage and how to keep buffs up most the time allowing the DPS to just whale away.

RexyCat

Zombocalypse wrote: »

So there is blocking in this game. The question is, how do I make the most of it? How does that work?

So, I taunt enemies so they will stay away from my friends, and then block while they attack me so I get less damage? But then what about the need for me to attack them? Why block if I should attack?

What's the use of blocking and what's it for when I also need to attack?

Thanks.

Taunt is a crowd control mechanic (short: CC) which will force for a short duration hostile NPCs to attack that player that have taunted NPC which is often a single target skill in this game. Tanks often have that role to control hostile NPCs and keep them from the rest of group which in general wear medium or light armour (which make them take more damage then Tank that in general should use Heavy armour as that reduce in coming damage and increase health pool).

"Aggro" or when NPCs that have a red name tag, which you can see by enable name tag in in game Setting - press Escape and you should see a list where you pick when to see name on target and when it should be highlight. I set especially all hostile NPCs to permanently show to avoid getting too close to hostile when I play over world and it is also helpful when you are in dungeons as it is easy to get too many hostile NPCs to get in aggro state at once when you don't have a coordinated group.

Here is a video showing where to find and what to find in settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ulRDftbxhI

I will assume that you are a completely new player and have not yet unlocked Champion Points or even have looked at which Sets that are in game which will give you a bonus when you combine armour, weapon and/or jewels from the same Set. There are everything from one Set item in this game up to 5 item Set where you need 5 item to unlock the 5th Bonus.

Here is guide that might be a good starting point to explain most of how this game work and what you will need a new player in this game.

https://alcasthq.com/category/eso-beginner-guides/

As you lack Champion Point (short: CP) when you start a new account. CP are account wide which means any character that first reach level 50 now start to accumulate Champion Points - so it is important to first unlock CP on at least one character and all character after that which reach level 50 will also have access to CP.

From CP you will also have access to change how Block work or reduce its cost which also have some impact on how you can play. Same if you use a lot of Dodges to avoid take damage or Sprint which most this threads poster seem to forget (at least up to post no. 9). It simply is complex matter to explain as for a new account and new player it means that you start for scratch and need to compensate for things that player that have been playing for long period now take for granted.

You also have to check with changes done over time from patches, so use that main guide above from Alcast and take a note when there is larger patches that have might have changed combat.

Don't get overwhelmed by all information and let any group you join know that you are new or first time in any dungeon where you get teleported into that dungeon as a group (not over world group dungeons as those doesn't need dedicated tanks).