Shield Combat Mechanics

How Shields Work in Combat

Shield Expansion Mod introduces two core defensive mechanics:

Off-Guard Cooldown — When you block an attack, your shield enters a cooldown period before you can block again. This cooldown duration varies by shield material: wooden shields have the longest recovery time, while Netherite shields recover fastest. This mechanic forces you to alternate between defense and offense.

Parrying — Raise your shield before an enemy attack connects to parry instead of block. Parrying pushes attackers backward and bypasses cooldown restrictions. Wooden and gold shields inflict minor damage on parried enemies. Iron, diamond, and Netherite shields deal damage *and* reflect part of the incoming attack back at the attacker. Parrying also allows you to block projectiles, which normal blocking cannot do.