quote:

POST UPDATED 3/17/11
I've added to this section for many players that have requested more specific details on how blocks work.
The system has not changed, I'm just adding further explanation about the calculations.

If the defender is stunned ... the defender has a 0% chance for a block

A block adjustment is calculated by taking the final dexterity values of both the defender and attacker.
This block adjustment value can be either negative or positive.

Block Adjustment = (defender dexterity - attacker dexterity) / 2

Chance to Block = 10 + Block Adjustment

The chance to block can never be less than 4%
The chance to block can never be more than 45%
Connect reduces the chance that your attacks will be blocked. It can not reduce the block rate below the minimum. of 4%.

Example 1:
Defender has 100 Dexterity
Attacker has 60 Dexterity

Block Adjustment = (100 - 60) / 2 = 20
Chance to Block = 10 + 20 = 30%

Example 2:
Defender has 60 Dexterity
Attacker has 100 Dexterity

Block Adjustment = (60 - 100) / 2 = -20
Chance to Block = 10 + -20 = -10%
Since the block chance can never reduce below 4%, the Chance to Block becomes 4%

Example 3:
Defender has 30 Dexterity (Also, the defender has a -40 Dexterity Debuff Applied)
Attacker has 29 Dexterity

Dexterity never uses negative values in calculations ... so even though a debuff is applied,
the Defender's dexterity value is calculated using the minimum value of 1 instead of -10.

Block Adjustment = (1 - 29) / 2 = -14
Chance to Block = 10 + -14 = 1%
Since the block chance can never reduce below 4%, the Chance to Block becomes 4%

A good rule of thumb is that for every 2 points of Dexterity you have more or less than your enemy,
your chance to block increases or decreases by 1% respectively.