Blocking

Blocking is a gameplay mechanic that allows players to block several forms of damage.

Usage[]

Java Edition[]

Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Using one causes the player to slow to a sneaking pace, and after 5 ticks (0.25 seconds)^[1] blockable attacks and knockback coming from the front of the player are negated. Any effects from the attacker (e.g. wither or fire) do not afflict the defender. A successful block is indicated by a sound and the shield taking damage.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non-magical projectiles, damage from Thorns, and some explosions. Creeper explosions or TNT ignited by another player are also blockable, including TNT ignited by either the player or via redstone.‌^{[Java Edition only]} Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage and drowning.

Bedrock Edition[]

Shields are used for blocking incoming attacks. Crouching (sneaking, flying downward, or moving downward in water) activates the shield. Shields also automatically activate when riding mobs, and there is no way to prevent the shield from being activated when riding mobs.

Sounds[]

Java Edition:

Bedrock Edition:

Advancements[]

Icon	Advancement	In-game description	Parent	Actual requirements (if different)	Resource location
	Not Today, Thank You	Deflect a projectile with a Shield	Suit Up	Block any projectile with a shield.	story/deflect_arrow

History[]

Java Edition Beta
1.8		Pre-release			Added blocking, which at the time could be activated by using a sword. Also, blocking negated only 50% of incoming damage, rather than 100%.
		Pre-release 2 ;)			Blocking now correctly deals damage in multiplayer.
Java Edition
1.0.0		Beta 1.9 Prerelease			Blocking now moves the player's hand, unlike previous versions, in which blocking moved just the sword.
					The player no longer rises faster underwater when blocking.
					Blocking no longer decreases fall damage. Blocking previously allowed the player to fall 42 blocks without dying, instead of 22.
1.8		14w30a			Third person blocking position tweaked.
					Blocking while mining was made impossible.
					Blocking immediately after attacking no longer continues the swing animation.
1.9		15w33c			The blocking functionality of swords was removed and is replaced with the functionality of shields.
		15w34c			When an attack is blocked by a shield, the attacker is knocked back.
					Being attacked with an axe may disable the shield for 5 seconds.
		15w37a			Cooldown reduced from 0.5 seconds to 0.25 seconds.
					Blocking now prevents some side effects like being set on fire when being hit by a mob that's on fire.
					Arrows now ricochet off shields.
		15w47b			Added shield blocking sounds.
		16w07a			Added more variation of shield blocking sounds.
1.11		16w35a			Shields now block 100% damage/knockback/debuff.
1.14		18w43a			Due to a bug, shields no longer repel attackers when blocking.[2]
1.19.3		22w43a			Shields can now properly block all explosions.
Bedrock Edition
1.10.0		beta 1.10.0.3			Added the ability to block with shields, which can be activated by crouching or riding mobs.
Legacy Console Edition
TU5	CU1	1.0	Patch 1	1.0.1	Added the ability to block with swords.
		1.90			Added the ability to block with shields.
		1.92			Removed the ability to block with swords.

Issues[]

Issues relating to "Blocking" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there.

Trivia[]

• Blocking allows for the slowest movements possible. This can occur when the player blocks, sneaks, and moves backward while under the effect of the slowness potion while going through cobwebs placed above still water on top of soul sand that is placed on top of ice. This causes the player to move at about 1/200 blocks a second, or 2/25 pixel a second (1 Pixel every 12-13s) on a default 16x16 texture pack. Blocking while sneaking and with the additional events (but without slowness potion) allows the player go at roughly 0.023854961832 blocks per second (1 block every 41.92 seconds).‌^{[Java Edition only]}
• It is impossible to block attacks on the New Nintendo 3DS Edition, as both shields and sword blocking are absent from the game.

Gallery[]

• 

  A player holding a shield while blocking.

See also[]

• Sprinting
• Critical hit