Blocking

This article is about the current mechanic using shields. For the removed mechanic in Java Edition and Legacy Console Edition using swords, see Sword blocking.

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

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 all explosions. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, drowning or splash potions. Shields partially block the laser attack from guardians and elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

In 25w04a, blocking was introduced as an item component named blocks_attacks for all items, not exclusively shields.^[2]

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.

Blockable attacks include melee attacks, all non magic projectiles, damage from Thorns, and all explosions except TNT lit by the player or from a redstone mechanism. Shields have no effect on other types of damage, such as fall damage, freezing or burning in lava. Shields partially block the laser attack from guardians and elder guardians by negating the direct damage.

Weaknesses

Axes

Using an axe on a shield that is blocking will deliver a crushing blow, which causes that shield, as well as any of the target's other shields, to be disabled for five seconds. However, disabling shields will not do any damage to the target. Mobs that are wielding axes (vindicators, piglin brutes, and mobs which have picked up an axe) can disable shields in the same way players can.

Piercing arrows

Arrows (and their variants) fired from a crossbow enchanted with Piercing will bypass a blocking shield, dealing direct damage to the target.

Sounds

Java Edition:

Bedrock Edition:

Advancements

Icon	Advancement	In-game description	Actual requirements (if different)
	Not Today, Thank You	Deflect a projectile with a Shield	Block any projectile with a shield.

History

Java Edition

Java Edition Beta
1.8			Pre-release				Added sword 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 reduces 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 has been 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				Start up delay has been 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.
							Shields are now stunned 100% of the time, and the chance of stunning is no longer influenced by the Efficiency enchantment or whether or not the attacker is sprinting.
1.14			18w43a				Shields no longer repel attackers when blocking.[3]
1.19.3			22w43a				Shields can now properly block all explosions.
1.21.5			25w04a				Blocking is introduced to all items through the Data component format. Shields are still the only item capable of blocking by default.

Bedrock Edition

Legacy Console Edition

Issues

Issues relating to "Blocking" are maintained on the bug tracker. Issues should be reported and viewed 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 Slowness 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 16×16 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]}
• In older versions and ports of Minecraft, you were able to block using a sword, which would reduce damage taken. This mechanic has since been removed.
• It is impossible to block attacks on the New Nintendo 3DS Edition, as both shields and sword blocking are absent from the game.

Gallery

Screenshots

• 
  A player holding a shield while blocking.

See also

• Sprinting
• Critical hit
• Sword blocking

References