A Guide to Mastering Perfect Blocks in Elden Ring

In every From Software game, there's always that one mechanic that defies logic and often leads to hilarious, game-breaking moments — the perfect block. If you've played any of the Soulsborne titles, you’ve likely seen or experienced one of these absurd interactions. And now, Elden Ring has its own version, continuing the trend of spaghetti code that sometimes makes you wonder if these mechanics are accidental bugs or if they’re secretly intended.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the obscure and often-overlooked mechanic of Perfect Blocks: how they work, how they’ve evolved across From Software games, and how you can use them to your advantage in Elden Ring.

What is a Perfect Block?

A Perfect Block is when you block an attack at precisely the right moment, allowing you to negate the normal block stun that usually follows a successful guard. This mechanic lets you mitigate damage and, more importantly, punish your opponent's attack with no consequence. Think of it as a way to cheese your opponent, all while looking like a true Elden Ring PvP pro. In most Souls games, when you block an attack, you’re typically subjected to a brief “stun” animation. The more powerful the weapon, the longer the stun. For instance, if you block a dagger attack, the stun is almost unnoticeable, but if you block a colossal weapon, you can be left open for several seconds. This is where the Perfect Block comes in, completely negating that stun and allowing you to immediately counterattack or reposition without the usual penalties. Mastering this technique can enhance your gameplay, especially for those looking to buy Elden Ring Runes to further boost their character's strength in PvP encounters.

Perfect Block in Previous Souls Games

· Demon’s Souls: The concept of a Perfect Block was first introduced here, though it was quite rudimentary. Still, players found ways to exploit it, especially with timing and weapon swapping tricks.

· Dark Souls 1: This game saw the mechanic evolve, with the famous pivot Perfect Block, where players could use specific animations (like the Claymore’s guard stance) to block attacks effortlessly while opening up free punish opportunities. It was a mix of luck and skill, but those who mastered it were nearly unstoppable.

· Dark Souls 2 & 3: Here, the Perfect Block mechanic still existed, but it became harder to pull off, especially with the introduction of more punishing two-hit combos and the removal of toggle escapes. Perfect Blocks remained relevant but were less reliable in high-stakes combat.

Perfect Blocks in Elden Ring: How They Work Now

In Elden Ring, the core idea behind Perfect Blocks remains unchanged: perform the block just as the enemy’s attack lands, and you’ll negate the usual stun while still mitigating the damage. However, From Software has added some new wrinkles to make the mechanic both easier and harder to execute depending on the situation.

The Irregular Poise Event (IPE)

If you miss the timing on a Perfect Block, the game will trigger an Irregular Poise Event (IPE). This means you won’t suffer the full effects of being stunned, but you’ll still take damage from the attack. This IPE offers a nice safety net, making it a bit easier to attempt Perfect Blocks without being as heavily punished for timing mistakes.

Timing and Stamina Management

In Elden Ring, if you run out of stamina during a Perfect Block attempt, you won't get guard broken, which was a huge issue in past games. Instead, if you execute an IPE, you can avoid the stamina penalty altogether, allowing you to stay in the fight even if your stamina bar is dangerously low. If you time your blocks perfectly, however, the opponent will eat the full damage, and you can stay in control of the fight.

What You Can Block

Perfect Blocks aren’t just for weapons. In Elden Ring, they can be used against spells and even status effects. If you block a Bleed, Frostbite, or Madness proc during a Perfect Block, you’ll take the damage but completely avoid the effect, making this mechanic especially potent in high-stakes PvP and PvE encounters.

The Best Weapons and Spells to Perfect Block

Perfect Blocks are most effective against slower weapons like colossal weapons and hammers. These weapons take longer to swing, giving you more time to react. If you time your Perfect Block correctly, you’ll completely negate the stun and have a clear shot at a counterattack or backstab.

Similarly, spells that have a longer cast time, like Storm Stomp or Flaming Strike, are much easier to block because they are heavily telegraphed. However, you need to be cautious with spells like Magma or Rock Sling that come at you fast and don’t give you much room to react.

Countering Perfect Blocks

If you're facing an opponent who’s hell-bent on perfect blocking every attack you throw at them, the best strategy is to switch to multi-hit attacks. Weapons like Twinblades, Madness, or Mady are great choices because their rapid, successive strikes are harder to perfect block, especially against a player who’s relying too much on timing rather than skill.

You can also try using Parries. Perfect Block users often carry a shield, which leaves them vulnerable to a well-timed parry. Keep that in mind when engaging in a tense duel.

Why Perfect Blocks Are Controversial

In a game like Elden Ring, which already favors a passive, defensive playstyle, Perfect Blocks can feel a little broken. The fact that they negate so much of the risk from combat — such as spacing, dodging, or managing stamina — makes slower, off-meta weapon builds even more powerful and punishing for more aggressive players.

Though Perfect Blocks have persisted through From Software’s entire history, their presence in Elden Ring is much more controversial. They arguably make an already passive combat system even more frustrating, and for many, they serve to undermine the game’s balance.

Final Thoughts

Whether you see Perfect Blocks as a bug, a feature, or just another exploit waiting to be mastered, they are undeniably fun to pull off. With practice, they can completely change the outcome of a duel, allowing you to turn the tide in your favor with a single, well-timed block. But remember, they come with a high risk: perfecting this mechanic takes hours of practice and timing. And just when you think you've mastered it, an opponent with a multi-hit weapon or a well-timed parry might have you second-guessing your strategy. If you're looking to dive into Elden Ring PvP with a focus on perfect blocking, make sure you’re well-prepared for the unpredictable nature of From Software’s game mechanics. It’s a ride filled with spaghetti, bugs, and delightful moments of triumph. To enhance your journey, consider exploring elden ring items buy online at MMOEXP to equip yourself with the best gear for your battles.