Talk:Dragon's Roost/@comment-24646286-20140426235118/@comment-7929150-20140617140227

No. Blocking in this game doesn't "reduce" damage taken; it PREVENTS HP damage converting it to stamina loss.

Improved Blocking Ability means that stronger attacks will not break your guard. If you use, say for example, the Orilux Shield aganst the swiping attack of a Dire Drake, the attack will swat your shield out of the way and leave you vulnerable to a follow up attack. It's the same effect as if you block an attack with very little stamina remaining. A shield's blocking ability can be improved up to 3 times; at which point, you can block or repel nearly all physical (and some magick) attacks in the game.

If you just HAVE to use that super cool looking Thunder Kite shield but don't want to suffer a brutal beating trying to repel Garm rushes (the first hit breaks your guard and the second launches you any damn way), you can use the skill Adamance which improves your blocking ability (not sure by how much) or the Mystic Knight skill Holy Wall / Holy Fortress.