Block Arrows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Block Arrows [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Adamaro23
09-03-07, 04:06 PM What do you think about the feat Block Arrows in Heros of Battle? Has anyone ever used? Did it help?

I'm contemplating about taking it very soon...
Kouk
09-03-07, 10:48 PM I think it doesn't really come up often enough in my experience.

If you use the feat for something else, perhaps something that boosts your AC in general, that would have a similar effect (the effect of the arrows not hitting you) and could apply in other situations.

If your game is very NPCs-with-bows heavy then it may be useful, but aside from enemy NPCs using bows, crossbows or javelins I don't think it will come up much.
Kouk
09-03-07, 11:57 PM Hmm, it would probably make a nice enchantment though... maybe +2 equivalent? I dunno.
Majick
09-04-07, 01:22 AM I like this feat. Especially if your going to take shield specialisation and shield ward. Makes it so you actually have a reason to hold a shield
Branto
09-04-07, 01:47 AM How does it differ from Deflect Arrows in the PHB?

Seems like it'd be hard to top the ability to instantly negate any nonmagical (and non-rediculously-massive) ranged attack each round... especially if you then take Snatch Arrows, and get to keep the ranged weapons or get an immediate free counter-throw-attack. ;)
Kouk
09-04-07, 03:34 AM How does it differ from Deflect Arrows in the PHB?

Seems like it'd be hard to top the ability to instantly negate any nonmagical (and non-rediculously-massive) ranged attack each round... especially if you then take Snatch Arrows, and get to keep the ranged weapons or get an immediate free counter-throw-attack. ;)

It is different because Deflect Arrows requires a free hand and Improved Unarmed Strike, while Block Arrow just requires shield proficiency and a modicum of Dexterity. If you are holding a shield and a weapon, you have no free hands with which to Deflect Arrows.
Branto
09-04-07, 09:23 PM If you are holding a shield and a weapon, you have no free hands with which to Deflect Arrows.

Unless you're using a buckler. You still have a hand free then, as far as the purposes of Deflect Arrows go, right?

So Deflect arrows.. requires a hand free (which would include using a two-handed weapon, because you can free a hand at any time, or a buckler, I think) and you have to have Improved unarmed strike... but the benefit is that you can later take Snatch Arrows on top of that to keep thrown weapons or get free counter-throw attacks.

And with Block Arrows, you only need shield proficiency, which a good number of classes start with anyway, and some dexterity.. 'course, I think deflect arrows had a dex requirement too, didn't it?

Are there any feats you can take to improve on Block Arrows?
Mephisto13
09-25-07, 07:11 PM My dwarf cleric/crusader has a high enough AC, but in the off chance that im hit with a ranged weapon, i love this feat. Its an attack that doesnt hit.

Altho having a higher AC does reduce the chance that u get hit...nothing beats the look on the DMs face when hes crits ur character with a bow, and u tell him that u deflect the hit. :D

Definately a great feat to have, if ur gonna have a shield.
Majick
09-26-07, 01:47 PM Unless you're using a buckler. You still have a hand free then, as far as the purposes of Deflect Arrows go, right?

So Deflect arrows.. requires a hand free (which would include using a two-handed weapon, because you can free a hand at any time, or a buckler, I think) and you have to have Improved unarmed strike... but the benefit is that you can later take Snatch Arrows on top of that to keep thrown weapons or get free counter-throw attacks.

And with Block Arrows, you only need shield proficiency, which a good number of classes start with anyway, and some dexterity.. 'course, I think deflect arrows had a dex requirement too, didn't it?

Are there any feats you can take to improve on Block Arrows?

Shield Block or Arrow Block whatever it's called from Heroes of Battle only work with shields that are of 'Light' category or larger, in other words; no buckler. It's a feat worth having, and doesn't have all the crazy ass prerequisites like the other unarmed one does.

Like said previously, if taking a shield and specializing with it (Shield Specialization, Shield Ward etc.) then it's another good one to have that makes sense.
Linsaran
09-26-07, 02:30 PM Work's fantastic if you have a shield of arrow catching. Build your character's ranged AC up there nicely, maybe even toss on one of the shield crystals in the MIC that increases your ranged AC, have your allies stand around you to redirect arrows your way, and if they do manage to hit your ranged buffed AC then you can still deflect one per round.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Adamaro23 09-03-07, 04:06 PM	What do you think about the feat Block Arrows in Heros of Battle? Has anyone ever used? Did it help? I'm contemplating about taking it very soon...
Kouk 09-03-07, 10:48 PM	I think it doesn't really come up often enough in my experience. If you use the feat for something else, perhaps something that boosts your AC in general, that would have a similar effect (the effect of the arrows not hitting you) and could apply in other situations. If your game is very NPCs-with-bows heavy then it may be useful, but aside from enemy NPCs using bows, crossbows or javelins I don't think it will come up much.
Kouk 09-03-07, 11:57 PM	Hmm, it would probably make a nice enchantment though... maybe +2 equivalent? I dunno.
Majick 09-04-07, 01:22 AM	I like this feat. Especially if your going to take shield specialisation and shield ward. Makes it so you actually have a reason to hold a shield
Branto 09-04-07, 01:47 AM	How does it differ from Deflect Arrows in the PHB? Seems like it'd be hard to top the ability to instantly negate any nonmagical (and non-rediculously-massive) ranged attack each round... especially if you then take Snatch Arrows, and get to keep the ranged weapons or get an immediate free counter-throw-attack. ;)
Kouk 09-04-07, 03:34 AM	How does it differ from Deflect Arrows in the PHB? Seems like it'd be hard to top the ability to instantly negate any nonmagical (and non-rediculously-massive) ranged attack each round... especially if you then take Snatch Arrows, and get to keep the ranged weapons or get an immediate free counter-throw-attack. ;) It is different because Deflect Arrows requires a free hand and Improved Unarmed Strike, while Block Arrow just requires shield proficiency and a modicum of Dexterity. If you are holding a shield and a weapon, you have no free hands with which to Deflect Arrows.
Branto 09-04-07, 09:23 PM	If you are holding a shield and a weapon, you have no free hands with which to Deflect Arrows. Unless you're using a buckler. You still have a hand free then, as far as the purposes of Deflect Arrows go, right? So Deflect arrows.. requires a hand free (which would include using a two-handed weapon, because you can free a hand at any time, or a buckler, I think) and you have to have Improved unarmed strike... but the benefit is that you can later take Snatch Arrows on top of that to keep thrown weapons or get free counter-throw attacks. And with Block Arrows, you only need shield proficiency, which a good number of classes start with anyway, and some dexterity.. 'course, I think deflect arrows had a dex requirement too, didn't it? Are there any feats you can take to improve on Block Arrows?
Mephisto13 09-25-07, 07:11 PM	My dwarf cleric/crusader has a high enough AC, but in the off chance that im hit with a ranged weapon, i love this feat. Its an attack that doesnt hit. Altho having a higher AC does reduce the chance that u get hit...nothing beats the look on the DMs face when hes crits ur character with a bow, and u tell him that u deflect the hit. :D Definately a great feat to have, if ur gonna have a shield.
Majick 09-26-07, 01:47 PM	Unless you're using a buckler. You still have a hand free then, as far as the purposes of Deflect Arrows go, right? So Deflect arrows.. requires a hand free (which would include using a two-handed weapon, because you can free a hand at any time, or a buckler, I think) and you have to have Improved unarmed strike... but the benefit is that you can later take Snatch Arrows on top of that to keep thrown weapons or get free counter-throw attacks. And with Block Arrows, you only need shield proficiency, which a good number of classes start with anyway, and some dexterity.. 'course, I think deflect arrows had a dex requirement too, didn't it? Are there any feats you can take to improve on Block Arrows? Shield Block or Arrow Block whatever it's called from Heroes of Battle only work with shields that are of 'Light' category or larger, in other words; no buckler. It's a feat worth having, and doesn't have all the crazy ass prerequisites like the other unarmed one does. Like said previously, if taking a shield and specializing with it (Shield Specialization, Shield Ward etc.) then it's another good one to have that makes sense.
Linsaran 09-26-07, 02:30 PM	Work's fantastic if you have a shield of arrow catching. Build your character's ranged AC up there nicely, maybe even toss on one of the shield crystals in the MIC that increases your ranged AC, have your allies stand around you to redirect arrows your way, and if they do manage to hit your ranged buffed AC then you can still deflect one per round.