Auto block issues.

[Erro]

I don't like auto blocking, sometimes character just can't block some hits, and i know how does blocking work (cursoring i mean). It's just if i failed to press block button it's my fault , but when character fails due to some hidden game mechanic it's entire different story.
Hope it will change in the future, apart from that, it's the only serious complaint from me.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Remember that you must block the damage area of a weapon. So if you get attacked by someone with an axe, you must block the blade. Weapons with heads such as axes and maces used by your enemies require more skill to block/parry than if they used swords for example. With swords, if you block/parry a part of the blade you pretty much always block the entire weapon. The blade there is huge so easy to stop, but swords are fast too which means you'll need faster reactions. Blocking/parrying axes/maces... you must block that tiny head at the end of the weapon. You'll need precision, but they are quite slow so you won't need fast reactions.

[Erro]

I know about it. I'm saying that character blocks by himself, even with things you mentioned are done right, sometimes it fails to block. On top of that it feels weird that YOU must attack (press button to attack), while blocking is autonomous, it doesn't seem and feel right to me. (but that's just me).

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Yeah I don't know man I never have or had issues with blocking/parrying. Used all weapons/shields in the game plenty of times. From what I've seen if you take a hit it will always be something on your end(except maybe against flails, some claim they still have some issues).

Game performance might be messing up the physics(not sure how powerful your PC is). Physics FPS works differently than the rendering FPS. You can run at a solid 144 FPS but have lagging physics. Other than that I don't know and the only thing I can say is practice.

EDIT: You might also be getting hit in your hands(maybe check gear for blood spots - unless you have some serious armour then that will be tricky due to lack of blood drawn).

[Erro]

Let me tell you it differently : i don't like how char blocks by himself, like in old isometric RPGs' where everyone fights and blocks by themselves. But here the y attack by our command except blocking. This is what i don't like. I can block most of the times well, rarely i miss it, but i DON'T LIKE AUTO BLOCK. I wanna guard by myself, it will feel and seem right to me....IMHO of coz.
Thanks for getting deep into it, but i know all of this stuff, not new here.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Maybe try dropping that skill... what was it called - Deflection? The one that 'actively protects' against attacks on weak spots or whatever. I remember actually removing that skill for all my fighters(including hirelings) in the arena.

[Larus]

It would be great if we could disable auto blocking and do it manually, but I personally don't see how that could be achieved with the current control scheme.

You can't just insert a block button, you would have to actively move your weapon/shield in the correct position. And that requires fast and accurate movement in a 3 dimensional environment while controlling from a top down perspective.

[Erro]

Originally posted by ThePastyProtestant:

You seem to be saying that the auto blocking system is flawed. If so, could you perhaps record a video showing an example of the flaw? Blocking/parrying has been pretty reliable for me. Almost every single time my character fails to block or parry an attack it is because I was lazy about guarding or failed to do so.

No, it's not flawed, i just don't like it. Of coz, if only 1 person doesn't like it, Devs are not going to change it, especially if ALL of others are fine with it (judging by answers). In old games like Neverwinter Nights fighting was auto (attacc, blocc etc..), you could choose special abilities instead. Here it's different in only parrying, and that tiny detail somehow doesn't feel right to me ( i know it's not a big deal, but still.....).

[Erro]

Originally posted by Faragequit:

Maybe try dropping that skill... what was it called - Deflection? The one that 'actively protects' against attacks on weak spots or whatever. I remember actually removing that skill for all my fighters(including hirelings) in the arena.

It does nothing.

[angrytrex]

I don't see a problem with having a toggle to turn off the characters active defending. It would not effect those who do not use it.

I'm also assuming we are talking about the times an attack comes in and the character just stares stupidly at it. I see the character mostly fail on thrust attacks. A lot of time it looks like they make no effort to even parry the attack. My reaction is often "Really? You didn't even try?" when it happens. The flails are also nifty for weirding out parries. I don't know if they would put any more effort in if I told them to block because it might be happening just because the parry-AI has no response for these situations.

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Originally posted by Erro:

It does nothing.

Well now that can't be true. No way it existed in the game all this time if it did nothing. Devs would know. However, that being said, like I said earlier I removed the skill on purpose from all my fighters(not to replace it with another skill but just outright remove it).

[Erro]

Originally posted by Faragequit:

Originally posted by Erro:

It does nothing.

Well now that can't be true. No way it existed in the game all this time if it did nothing. Devs would know. However, that being said, like I said earlier I removed the skill on purpose from all my fighters(not to replace it with another skill but just outright remove it).

Oh, i meant it doesn't remove auto blocking, therefore it does nothing for me. Do you think devs would make a button for manual block if i leave this post be, or should i delete the post coz it does nothing, except angering other players who o.k. with blocking as of now?
Thanks for all feedback and patience in advance :)

[White ⁧⁧Wolf]

Originally posted by Erro:

Oh, i meant it doesn't remove auto blocking, therefore it does nothing for me. Do you think devs would make a button for manual block if i leave this post be, or should i delete the post coz it does nothing, except angering other players who o.k. with blocking as of now?
Thanks for all feedback and patience in advance :)

Oh no it doesn't remove the auto-blocking/parrying, but it changes how it works.

I don't think anyone is angry at all, it's good to state your opinion. I would leave the thread because you never know. It's good when there are discussions about the game. Your thread may also help others who have the same questions/issues.

[smoils]

From what I remember Madoc saying - blocking in games is dull and unrealistic. Hitting each others weapon until someone dies is a holywood/theatrical thing, not how melee combat should be.

Blocking in exanima is supposed(by design) to be last resort - attempt to save yourself if you messed up, you need to use footwork to avoid enemy weapon and use the opening it creates, not exchange blocks until someones block fails.

[Larus]

Originally posted by Smoils:

From what I remember Madoc saying - blocking in games is dull and unrealistic. Hitting each others weapon until someone dies is a holywood/theatrical thing, not how melee combat should be.

Blocking in exanima is supposed(by design) to be last resort - attempt to save yourself if you messed up, you need to use footwork to avoid enemy weapon and use the opening it creates, not exchange blocks until someones block fails.

Tbh both stage/movie/videogame and Exanima's combat are quite unrealistic. And that's fine because games can't be super realistic and need to compromise in some way. Real combat shouldn't be that slow for example. That's a deliberate design choice that has nothing to do with balance or realism.

But Madoc is right if he says that keeping your distance is more desirable than relying on blocking. Don't go into your opponent effective range if you're not ready to get hit. Good foodwork is key to your survival.

[smoils]

my point wasnt exanima being realistic, I just said exanima doesnt focus on block exchanges, it wasnt supposed to be a thing to rely on.