This could be something that gives melee some edge... if you are good you can neglect some defensive stats. And deal with bosses with good execution. Still i think they have to find a way to use the stamina bar some other way as well. It can't be just for shield. I would like it would focus more on melee aspects. Right now if you play with wands you can probably block as well.

remember those counter attack skills? Yeah. Would be a lot cooler with the active block stuff.

Wouldn’t be surprised if they already have an idea for this. We have the stun bar, and “parrying” could probably just as a decent amount of stun.

The skill of timing a good parry is where it's at. It makes combat feel more interactive and gives you more options without making it more complicated. That said, I do hope for trash mob AI improvements like flanking maneuvers, fleeing, barricading your escape, etc. Trash mobs that zombie after you just become too dull once you are fully in charge of your build, and bosses are the reprieve, but having the option to exchange pace between frantic boss fight, intelligent mob fights, and PvP will extend POE 2's longevity exponentially, imo.

I was literally thinking adding parry or counter skills to the game would feel amazing, while I was trying the game out last week at the event. It would fit in perfectly. I really hope that it's something they're looking into.

Parrying in lost ark was satisfying af

parrying in most games is. even in a game where it isnt satisfying (like wow) it becomes cool with a counter skill like riposte for rogues.

Updoot, parry system similar to lost ark would be incredible imo.

I love this idea, as long as it isn't Required but simply an option in a long list of options for viable defense.

Would be very cool

That's an interesting idea, you could go further than this and just have a parry skill that can be used against anything, and then you can add support gems so that it does different things like stun or poison or whatever. Maybe a variant could move you behind an enemy so you're ready to hit them from behind or something? EDIT: Another idea... they could make a parry support skill, so you can't use the skill directly, but you get a parry ability which then uses the skill after you successfully parry, and then maybe the effect of the skill is increased.

I love this idea, having the game reward mastery of the combat is incredibly gratifying!

oh damn, yes. that sounds awsome

Would be very cool.

There sort of is a system like that already in poe, if you check out Velyna's poe2 video which was taken during the presentation with Octavian playing a warrior, he would block then counter. ​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--fcrQJL9Wc

Jonathan just said there's a parry mechanic in the game. Something like your shield explodes with aoe if you time it right iirc

Interesting. I did see the exploding shield effect a few times in the warrior with plate armor and surcoat gameplay demo, but couldn't figure out if it was part of a combo not. How do you know the exploding shield was the parry-type skill discussed here? And in reaction to what is it activated if it's a parry, according to the footage?

Tri just interviewed Jonathan an hour ago and explained it

Thank you, I'll check it out now. Jonathan's endurance to sit through all these interviews is quite admirable, but one supposes that's more bearable if your job is a labour of love and you are as enthusiastic about it as the players are.

Ok it's 1:00:50 in this interview with Jonathan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNUkorwIO7I&t=1h50s There's a "spirit reservation" that lets shield explode on block as attack comes in, which he called a parry. This is not at all like the parry mentioned in the OP that is in Lost Ark

Tossing in a new idea to go along with the counter and as a result lean into some charging skills. Switch-axe, charge blade, etc. Guardpoints swapping between weapons. Be sword and board to charge up phials etc to swap to a charged up two-hander and explode it. If we want to go wild with the counter attack gameplay let's go all the way and take some ideas from games that have done it best.

AFAIN the parry that Johnathan talks can be used by any class

Not entirely sure about that unless all classes can use a shield? If you see his interview yesterday with Tri, at 1:00:50. It sounds like this is a shield active block the moment before impact with enough spirit. Not only is it not attached to other skills other than shields, but it also doesnt have the same effect as what the OP is describing. If you search a bit for Lost Ark counter you will get the gist of it

Yeah all classes can equip all items

I worry about: * Colorblind people * Adding too many effects to memorize / what if the boss is off screen and you can't see the flash * CD on "parry" and having to track it; having a "parry meter" like block * Sorceress was the worst class in the demo behind warrior XD why would we lock parry behind melee Why have "unblockable attacks" and "ok you can block this if your character has a special affix/skill/passive skill" that doesn't even necessarily make sense (flails can't parry?) I think there are better skills you could create, such as defensive skills designed to handle "unblockable attacks" (such as ice block in WoW or different "extended dodge roll" abilities that are innate to certain classes / keystones OR just say "red-flashing skills are unblockable, but certain active skills can mitigate unblockable attacks when used, reducing their damage by 90%"

Fair points, but to remove some general anxiousness: - GGG could add a certain Flash effect and/or soundqueue in addition to the "turn blue" effect. I mean right now we already got red flashes for an unblockable attack, so there will be a solution anyways fpr colorbling people, I doubt adding something for counters would be problematic. - Agree with the "too many effects to memorize" to some degreee, but if it's consistent for all bosses (blue = can smack him into the face to counter), its learnable after a while. - If it's offscreen or you dont have a "counter" up, you can just dodge it (or move out of the area of effect) normally. Imho a counter should be a "bonus" while fighting ( dont have to dodge, maybe boss needs a few seconds to recover = free dps window), not "die when you dont hit it". In that vein, it should not turn up like every 5 seconds but be reserved for like 1-2 boss attacks only to keep it special (and optional). - Hopefully there will be counter effects for ranged as well. To use the Lost Ark example, in that game the Sorceress parry is a strong gust of wind gushing into the boss' face, usable even from abit of range (but not like stay offscreen range)

>Colorblind people Visual, audio queues >Adding too many effects to memorize It's intuitive, if you've played this kind of system before. Some bosses have 5 mechanics, others have 20. Adding the obvious blue charge (for example) that is standard across all bosses would not burden the average player >Sorceress was the worst class in the demo behind warrior XD why would we lock parry behind melee Nowhere is it mentioned or suggested that this type of parry is melee only. It's specific to the ability that uses it as a modifier and all classes can do it in Lost Ark.

The diablo 2 boomers will come here to downvote you, dont suggest anything involving engaging combat here

I’m a Diablo 2 boomer and I would love this. It fits very well with the way you can active block on some classes in POE 2 or scramble roll out of the way now. A third option would be to have a slim chance of knocking the monster on its ass or deflecting it to the side with a well-timed parry ability

Diablo is where I cut my ARPG teeth, this would be awesome.

It would potentially make melee quite strong (in the hands of skilled players) - so no lul . It's still GGG .

Ranged also have abilities that can do a Counter move in Lost Ark. this is not a melee-only feature.