How do I block strategically?

[Spreeuw]

Hello community,

Sorry for the newbie question: but how do I use block properly?

I am trying out the bulwark (after zerker, summoner and alchemist) with around 40h into the game (have reached into dreadfell but not yet reached the master). In any case, some guides recommend to use block strategically. However, I can't find a block button and never get the status 'counterstrike' on an enemy unless I use the second talent of the shield defense tree and hope they strike and hit me.

All I am seeing is how much I blocked per hit in the battle log, but this does not confer the 'counterstrike' status effect nor does it depend on me doing anything. How do I use block in the manner advised? What are good guidelines?

Thanks in advance!

[tabs]

I think I can safely say that blocking is almost always a waste of a turn.

Unless you have Riposte, blocking will only apply the counterstrike debuff if you block all of the damage.

[Spreeuw]

But I have riposte? I am lvl 10 now and just unlocled battle tactics and have 1/5 riposte.

But how do I block?

[PseudoLoneWolf]

Equip a shield and you'll see that it gives you talent levels in Block. Press M to get at your actions menu and assign Block to a hotkey if it isn't automatically on your bar.

[bpat]

If you have Riposte then you should Block on cooldown against enemies that do a damage type you can block unless you really need to spend that turn using something else. It's a damage increase thanks to Counterstrike,

[Spreeuw]

Thank you so much! I am rocking a lvl 17 Thalore bulwark now.