Active blocking

Active Blocking
Player characters can actively block by holding the block key (default: left shift). While blocking, a character gains +2 Armor Class, has increased Damage Reduction, and is immune to most special attack and weapon effects. This includes, but is not limited to, Scorpion/Spider Poison, Wraith Constitution Drain, and damage enchantments such as Crippling, Flaming, Wounding, Maladroit, and even Bane.

A shield is not required to actively block, although blocking with a shield provides significantly more bonus DR than blocking without one. All benefits mentioned above apply regardless of the character's equipment. A player can block and gain its benefits even while prone.

The benefits of blocking apply only to melee attacks against the character's front 180°. Against ranged attacks, the bonus DR from active blocking,, apply to attacks from all directions, but you may receive less bonus DR than you do against melee strikes.

A blocking character cannot attack with weapons. If he has a shield, he may attack with it instead, using the shield's attack and damage values. This requires no special skill or feat, though the character suffers attack penalties if he is not proficient with that shield, and he loses the shield's bonus to his Armor Class unless he has the Improved Shield Bash feat.

Characters cannot run normally while blocking. They either hop or somersault instead, depending on their Tumble skill. Blocking characters cannot jump at all. Blocking characters can cast spells and activate items, but this cancels the blocking status until the casting finishes.

Active DR Formula
Active DR is the additional Damage Reduction gained while blocking. It stacks with the character's Passive DR.

Note: Thrown weapons and wands are treated as one-handed weapons in these categories.

With Shield:

This formula applies when blocking with a shield, regardless of what's in your main hand.

Active Melee DR = (BAB / 2) + 2 + Shield DR rating + Shield Mastery Feats + Shield Mastery Enhancements Active Ranged DR = Active Melee DR / 2

The following feats and enhancements may further increase Active DR while using a shield. They all stack.
 * Shield mastery +3
 * Improved shield mastery +3
 * Dwarven shield mastery +1, 2, or 3 (for levels I, II, and III of the enhancement)

Two-Weapon Fighting, Bow, or Crossbow:

This formula applies when blocking while wielding two one-handed weapons or a bow or crossbow.

Active Melee DR = (BAB / 3) + 2 + Two-Weapon Blocking Feat (two-weapon fighting only) Active Ranged DR = Active Melee DR / 4

The following feat may further increase Active DR while wielding two weapons.
 * Two-weapon blocking

Two-Handed Fighting, Single Weapon & No Shield, or Unarmed:

This formula applies when blocking while wielding a two-handed weapon, wielding one one-handed weapon but no shield, or fighting unarmed.

Active Melee DR = (BAB / 5) + 1 Active Ranged DR = full Active Melee DR

Examples

 * Example 1 - A level 8 fighter with the regular and Improved shield mastery feats, actively blocking with a +4 Heavy Adamantine Shield would have the following DR when using or blocking with shield:
 * Passive DR vs. melee and ranged = DR1/-
 * Active Blocking DR vs. melee = 1 + [(8/2) + 2 + 2 + 4 + 6] = DR19/-
 * Active Blocking DR vs. ranged = 1 + [(8/2) + 2 + 2 + 4 + 6]/2 = DR10/-


 * Example 2 - The same level 8 fighter with two weapons would have the following DR:
 * Passive DR vs. melee and ranged = none
 * Active Blocking DR vs. melee = [(8/3) + 2] = DR4/-
 * Active Blocking DR vs. ranged = [(8/3) + 2]/4 = DR1/-


 * Example 3 - A level 14 barbarian with innate DR5/-, a two-handed weapon (THF), and Stoneskin (DR10/Adamantine) would have the following DR:
 * Passive DR vs. melee and ranged = DR10/Adamantine OR DR5/-For normal attacks he effectively has DR10. For Adamantine attacks he has DR5/-.
 * Active Blocking DR vs. melee and ranged = [10 or 5] + [(14/5) + 1] = DR10/Adamantine OR DR5/- AND DR3/-For normal attacks he effectively has DR13. For Adamantine attacks he has DR8/-.