Blocking is a gameplay mechanic present in multiple entries of the Fallout series.

Blocking in Gamebryo

While in combat, and both opponents have close quarters weapons, they can block each other's attacks. Doing so deflects some of the damage done and causes the attacker to stagger back from being blocked with an opening for the defender to exploit. Creatures, such as deathclaws and other wildlife, can be blocked to absorb damage, but they will not be staggered unlike humans and non-feral ghouls.

There is no penalty to holding block while waiting for the enemy to attack, but most melee encounters will be dragged out as NPCs are unwilling to attack a blocking opponent.

The skills Melee Weapons and Unarmed tie into the amount of damage that can be blocked by the Player or NPC using the equation below.

Fallout 3

The total is subtracted from 1, and the incoming damage is multiplied by that after Damage Resistance is calculated. The total is reduced by 75% when blocking with fists or an unarmed weapon.

$${\displaystyle BlockReduction=\max \left({\frac {Skill}{50}},0.7\right)}$$

fBlockSkillMult equals 2 and is the skill multiplier, fBlockSkillBase is 0, and fBlockAmountHandToHandMult is 0.25. fBlockMax is 0.7.

Fallout: New Vegas

The total is added to the blocking party's Damage Threshold, which reduces the amount of damage from melee or unarmed attacks.

$${\displaystyle {\text{Block Threshold}}=5+0.3*{\text{Skill}}}$$

fBlockSkillMult equals 0.3 and is the skill multiplier, and fBlockSkillBase always adds 5 DT to the total while blocking. fBlockMax is unused.

Notable perks/traits

• Unstoppable Force: Deal 4x damage when using melee and unarmed attacks against a blocking enemy.

Blocking in Creation Engine

Fallout 4

Although the blocking mechanic returns in Fallout 4 associated with the use of unarmed and melee weapons, unlike in Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, the player character's method of blocking is more akin to a parry technique, as using the associated button causes them to raise their fists/weapon for a brief period of 1-2 seconds before it drops away automatically. Deflecting an enemy melee attack will reduce its damage output by an unknown amount, and the enemy themselves will be staggered for a short time. However, the player must be able to measure the timing of their attack as it is possible to "block" too early and cause their defense to lapse right before the attack hits and deals the full amount of damage. Conversely, if the timing matches with the rate of attack, it is even possible to deflect attacks from powerful enemies like deathclaws, mirelurk queens, and behemoths.

Notable perks/effects

Armor effects

• Cavalier: Take 15% less damage when blocking or sprinting.

Weapon effects

• Cavalier: Take 15% less damage when blocking or sprinting.
• Blazing: Blocking has a 25% chance to set attackers on fire for 50 damage.
• Charged: 10% chance to deal 100 Electrical damage on a successful block.
• Duelist: 25% chance to disarm attackers on a successful block.
• Frigid: 20% chance to freeze the enemy when blocking attacks.

Fallout 76

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Notes

• NPCs can be baited into a block stagger by getting in range while not blocking and quickly blocking.
• Projectiles cannot be blocked.