Sword block-hit
Right-clicking a sword raises a 1.7.10 guard: instant, active in every direction, and costly to your movement.
How much blocking protects you
Blocking reduces damage from blockable attacks by roughly half. Your armour and other protection then apply. It can protect against hits, arrows, tridents, explosions and flames, but not every source of damage.
No notion of angle
Blocking protects you from every direction, even when your opponent hits you from behind.
Instant, no wind-up
The guard is active from the click, with no delay. There is no window where you are already slowed but not yet protected.
You cannot hit while blocking
As long as you hold the guard, your attack clicks do not register. Block-hit is a sequence — release, strike, raise again — not a simultaneous strike. That rhythm is the whole skill. As in 1.7.10, holding left-click on a block keeps breaking it whether or not your guard is up, and you can raise your guard while mining.
The movement cost
Raising the guard stops a running sprint and refuses to start a new one. Your movement drops to 20% of normal speed. Releasing restores everything instantly, which makes the guard a sprint reset and keeps the W-Tap viable.
No wear, no disarm
Blocking consumes no durability on your sword. No weapon disables your guard: axes do not disarm, unlike the modern shield.
What about shields?
The shield keeps its usual recipe. You can craft it and use it in your main hand; the off-hand stays closed. Shield blocking still differs from sword blocking, including its protection angle and axe disarming. Its damage reduction remains the shield-specific balance used on ScandiCraft.
Frequently asked
What is block-hitting for?
It lets you alternate sword hits with blocking to reduce incoming damage without losing your rhythm.
Can you block and hit at the same time?
No. While the guard is up, attack clicks are ignored. You have to release to strike.
Does blocking wear out my sword faster?
No. Blocking costs no durability, however many hits you absorb.
Can an axe break my guard?
No. Axe disarming is a modern shield mechanic, and it is absent here.
How do I practise block-hit?
In friendly duels, focusing first on the release-strike-block rhythm without chasing speed. Speed comes later, once the movement is automatic.