This patch makes active blocking the standard, introduces telegraphed unblockable attacks, reworks two Legendary shields, and improves block feedback throughout the game.
Active Block is now the default and only blocking mode. Raise your shield to block incoming attacks.
Powerful unblockable attacks now flash red shortly before impact, rewarding careful positioning and timing.
The tutorial now teaches active blocking.
Critical Strike Chance is now capped at 100%.
Faster Block Recovery has been renamed to Block Speed, and its item affix range has been reduced from 20–50% to 10–25%.
Heavy attacks from several enemies and bosses are now unblockable.
Attempting to block an unblockable attack now displays clear combat text.
Reworked Attuned Barrier into a high-level Dexterity/Intelligence shield that can block magical damage and provides additional Arcane Barrier.
Reworked Reckless Deflector into a Strength/Dexterity shield that causes you and your attacker to each take 50% of the damage from blocked melee hits.
Existing Attuned Barrier and Reckless Deflector items are automatically updated to their new versions.
Rearranged the character sheet and added Block Speed to its displayed stats.
Renamed Arcane Barrier to Barrier on the character sheet.
Removed the obsolete block mode option.
Renamed Direction Lock to "Lock direction during attack" in the Options menu.
Added dedicated idle animations while blocking and updated block-walking animations for every player appearance.
Added a sound effect when raising your shield.