Years back when I started playing I started with directional blocking, then after some time probably from FPS's issues and that blocking felt cheesy (and I had my old clumsy roll mouse) I switched to auto blocking and was happy with it. Lately though, I got encouraged go back to directional blocking.
When there was that skill ego fest made by Whoopin, Merenthas example encouraged me to switch back to directional blocking since he said he saw nothing special in Whoopin videos since they have been made by using auto blocking and Mer personally don't even place himself into silly situations like that where you encounter enemy horde because he uses directional blocking. That impressed me and I though "Heck, if Mer can do that, I can too."
And indeed I could, it was time to go back to roots. It took some time to train with zendar trainer to get back the old feeling and I also noticed that now directional blocking felt much more smoother, maybe it was because game performance had improved, close combat improvements or just that I had now new optic mouse which can react faster and more accurate.
Now that I have been playing some time with directional blocking I have no problem with it anymore, it becomes natural way to block. I use now only character who uses 2-handers since I am still both practicing and also want challenge myself.
Tactic thinking helps too, it is important know how to block, but if you put yourself in situation where you have to block much, you have already done something wrong and are in disadvantage in fight. It's important to take initiate in battle, 2-handers strength lies in offense so defensive style isn't optimal one to those.
Now directional blocking feels natural and also only real way to play to me, I couldn't get back to auto-blocking (unless there comes some changes in combat or there is some bad FPS issue). Since AI 2-handers too has sometimes problems with blocking, screwing yourself with directions occasionally just seems to make things even. I want to challenge myself and hard fight feels much more satisfying than easy one.
Here is little bait to powergamers: I have no problem with automatic blocking and it is good way to enjoy game and combat, but if you take pride of your skill and also let others hear it loudly, then automatic blocking is same as = MMORPG button smashing combat, blocks everything, no real skillz
Another incentive: If there is ever going to be multiplayer in future M&B releases, then those who don't know how block are either going to be shield men or dead men.
(of course it's bit too early to speculate, latency issues might make real time blocking impossible, but on the other hand you should aim to play in local servers where you have good ping, that's how reflex based combat works in other games)
kazuma said:
Nightblade+-- said:
I use directional blocking (more fun than auto block) but don't have a problem with it.
To block from above tilt the mouse upwards, for blocking thrusts tilt it downwards and to block left or right swings tilt the mouse either left or right.
All it requires is a slight movement to set up the block.
It feels more interactive than using auto block.
I know that. My problem is... in the heat of battle, I often tilt "left-up" or "right-up" instead of "up." A tilt up at 1 O-clock angle, for example, seems to make me block right instead of up. It's hard to make a perfect "up" each time when in the heat of battle.
I'd be happy if 2 O-clock and 10 O-clock was sufficient for an "up" block.
Like Demonic Spoon says, stabs are the worst for me too. But I know they are faster too. Still yet, it seems as though I have to be overly precise to block up or down.
Yea stabs are hardest. It's important to keep your head cold in battle, if enemy gets hit through that usually messes up your defense for a while, it's vital to recover fast.
Dry run/shadow practicing might help, bit like in real martial combat practices, you have to train move (blocks in this case) so they are part of you and become automatically when needed, there is no time to think in middle of fight.
+ that tactical positioning in fight, not letting yourself to go in unfavorable situation.
