Did they make it harder to level up the block skill?

[Derrad]

Not sure why but after getting the new update, I have feel that farming block on the first 2 floors have been much harder, this is a problem since I play on hardcore and not hitting at least block 60 early game often leads to issues in the swamps

[Goofy Femboy]

Yes, they changed how Blocking is leveled up. From the changelog of version 4.3:
"Shield items are now more durable, only rolling to degrade after a certain number of hits rather than on each hit taken.
Higher quality shield materials/blessings increase the hits that can be taken before checking to degrade.
Blocking now can only be increased by one skill point per enemy.
Non-shields (Torches, Lanterns, etc) now only benefit from Blocking +AC up to skill level 40, but now can be used to level up beyond skill level 40.
Arrows can now degrade armor, but also can provide Blocking skill ups when being hit as melee attacks do.
Blocking now has the following bonus chances to level up:
Performing "block, attack" combos 3 times in a row ("Rhythm of the Knight" Achievement) awards 80% chance to level skill;
Blocking an attack within a short time of raising your shield awards a bonus chance to level Blocking;
Blocking an enemy hit and having ally players/NPCs kill the enemy ("Thank the Tank" Achievement) awards a bonus chance to level Blocking."

[Derrad]

Thank you my friend, I play mainly hardcore and generally roll as barbarian, always try to hit at least 60 block before I get to the swamp, this info is golden!

[Foosty]

I've been wondering why I couldn't level block anymore lol
Not a HUGE fan of only 1 skill point per enemy but thankfully blocking is super helpful even at low levels unlike stuff like stealth.
Would be nice if there was some kind of notification of when it's rolling skill level ups so some of us don't just sit there scratching our heads for an hour while rats beat 100 torches out of our inventory XD