Block
To perform a block, declare what specific type of action the block is intended to prevent and make a
skill check using an appropriate skill. The total of that roll is called the block strength. During the exchange, any time a character wants to perform the action that's covered by the block, he must roll against the block and meet or exceed the block strength to be able to perform that action. If he fails, he cannot perform the action in question. If he meets or exceeds the block strength, the action resolves normally, with benefits for extra shifts if the roll beats the block strength by a wide margin.
Blocks that affect one person can prevent multiple types of action. Blocks that affect multiple people can only affect one action.
Example: "I want to prevent anyone from leaving the room" (multiple people, one action) vs "I want to prevent that guy from doing anything" (one person, multiple actions).
Unless stated otherwise, a block lasts until the end of the round. You can do it again on the following round, but you'll need to spend your action again and the strength of the block will be the result of the new roll.
It is possible to create a block outside of combat, e.g. when bodyguarding someone you could say "I am Blocking against damage done to my protectee".
- If you are attacked from surprise…
- ...and you were doing something else that was taking up your full attention, then the block does not apply
- ...if you were focused on maintaining the block, then it does apply
- If you are attacked but are not surprised...
- The block works as normal -- you can choose to apply it, in which case you forfeit your Standard action for the round, or you can choose to do something else. If you choose to apply it, then it is in effect from the start of the round and will work against people with a higher initiative than yours.
In either case, the block follows the normal rules, including the fact that it ceases at the end of the round.
See
Shifts and Stress for an example