Another Bulwark question. How does block/counter work?

[Delmuir]

The Bulwark has the counter skill but I'm not sure how it works. Is the block automatic or do you have to actually use the block ability? In other words, if I'm attacked can a block happen automatically and then a counter-attack happen automatically OR do I have to use the block skill, then, assuming I succeed in blocking the attack, then my next attack counts as the counter?

I'm just not sure...

[Theyleon]

The counterstrike debuff is applied to an enemy when their attack is fully absorbed by the active 'block' ability. This happens for all classes who use a shield, not just balwarks. The skill in shield offence makes counterstrike stronger, and applies it when any damage is blocked.

So basically, there is no passive block chance, you have to use the skill to get counterstrikes.

[Mankeli]

The counterstrike debuff is applied to an enemy when their attack is fully absorbed by the active 'block' ability.

Riposte allows you to perform counterstrikes after incomplete blocks as well.

[angstymeierlink]

is there any passive damage absorb ability with a shield? in other words do it do anything at all when the block ability is not being used? I swear I saw at least once that I blocked something just while attacking

[Mankeli]

Temporal Rift reduces all damage by 20 (don't recall others but that doesn't mean it's not possible).

Edit, shields can also have wards which fully absorb attacks while your char is warded.

[HousePet]

And the shield stats still apply when you wield them, just not the block value.