How does the Block Power of a shield scale with skill level?

In Valheim, the Block Power of a shield is a crucial mechanic that determines how much damage you can absorb when blocking an attack. Block Power scales with your Blocking skill level, which increases as you successfully block attacks. The higher your Blocking skill, the more effective your shield becomes at mitigating damage. This mechanic is essential for surviving tough encounters, especially in later biomes like the Plains or Mistlands.\n\nTo understand how Block Power scales, it''s important to know that each shield has a base Block Power value. For example, the Wood Shield has a base Block Power of 20, while the Black Metal Shield has a base Block Power of 100. When you block an attack, the damage you take is reduced by your shield''s Block Power, but this value is further modified by your Blocking skill level. The formula for effective Block Power is: Base Block Power * (1 + Blocking Skill Level / 100). This means a Blocking skill level of 50 will increase your shield''s Block Power by 50%.\n\nTo level up your Blocking skill, you need to actively block attacks. Each successful block grants experience points toward your Blocking skill, and the amount of experience depends on the strength of the attack you block. For example, blocking a powerful Troll attack will give more experience than blocking a weak Greyling hit. This encourages players to engage in combat and practice their blocking skills to improve their survivability.\n\nOne common challenge for new players is managing stamina while blocking. Blocking consumes stamina, and if your stamina runs out, you won''t be able to block effectively. To address this, focus on upgrading your stamina by eating high-stamina foods like Honey, Carrot Soup, or Sausages. Additionally, consider using shields with lower stamina consumption, such as the Bronze Buckler, which is designed for parrying and has a lower stamina cost compared to tower shields.\n\nFor experienced players, mastering parrying is a game-changer. Parrying occurs when you block an attack at the last moment, staggering the enemy and opening them up for a critical hit. To parry successfully, your shield''s Block Power must exceed the attack''s damage. This means upgrading to stronger shields like the Black Metal Shield or Serpent Scale Shield is essential for parrying high-damage enemies like Fulings or Lox.\n\nIn summary, the Block Power of a shield scales with your Blocking skill level, making it vital to practice blocking and parrying to improve your survivability. Focus on using shields that match your playstyle, whether it''s a tower shield for consistent blocking or a buckler for parrying. Always manage your stamina and upgrade your gear to handle tougher enemies in advanced biomes. With these tips, you''ll become a formidable Viking capable of withstanding even the deadliest attacks.