Blocking in The Forest is a vital skill that can significantly reduce incoming damage and improve your survivability. This guide covers everything you need to know about blocking mechanics, weapon effectiveness, and armor interactions.

1. Is Blocking Worth It?

Yes! Blocking is very effective in negating damage, especially when combined with armor. In most cases, a successful block will result in no damage taken. The blocking mechanic has remained unchanged for years, making it a reliable tactic.

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2. How Blocking Works

• Blocking effectiveness depends on your health.
• Between 100-60 health, blocking is at its weakest.
• Blocking improves from 60-10 health, absorbing more damage.
• At 10 health or lower, blocking resets back to the 100-60 range.

This inconsistency makes it difficult to predict exact values, but blocking remains a crucial survival technique.

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3. Which Weapons Can Block?

Not all weapons in The Forest have blocking capabilities. Below is a ranking from worst to best blocking weapons:

Weapons That Cannot Block

• Weak Spear
• Upgraded Spear
• Upgraded Rock
• Animal Heads (fun but impractical!)

Worst Blocking Weapons

• Katana & Machete – Despite showing no block value in inventory, they do block some damage.
• Bone – Slightly better than the Katana but still a poor choice for defense.

Moderate Blocking Weapons

• Plane Axe – Decent but not the best option.
• Leg (as a weapon) – Surprisingly, it blocks more than the Katana!
• Tennis Racket – A fun and effective weapon, consuming very little stamina.

Good Blocking Weapons

• Stick & Upgraded Stick – Blocks slightly more damage than a tennis racket.
• Arm (as a weapon) – Blocks more than most basic weapons.
• Crafted Axe – A solid blocking weapon with good consistency.

Best Blocking Weapons

• Upgraded Stick & Crafted Club – Blocks almost all damage, with only minor health reduction at higher health levels.
• Modern Axe – A well-balanced weapon with superior blocking ability.

Max Block Weapons (100% Damage Negation)

• Rusty Axe
• Club
• Turtle Shell

These weapons allow you to absorb all damage, even from powerful mutants like Armsies and Virginias. They are the best options for prolonged fights in tunnels and caves.

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4. Damage That Cannot Be Blocked

While blocking is highly effective, some attacks and hazards cannot be negated:

• Cowman charges and stomps – You will always take damage.
• Fire damage – Fire attacks will bypass blocks.
• Drowning – No amount of blocking will save you underwater.
• Fall damage – Gravity wins every time.
• Baby mutants’ leap attacks – These deal significant damage and should be blocked when possible.

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5. How Armor Affects Blocking

• When blocking with armor, you take almost no damage.
• Any type of armor, even Deer Skin armor, prevents most damage when blocking.
• Armor does not affect the amount of damage you block, meaning weaker armors can still be useful when paired with good blocking weapons.

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6. Blocking Angles and Effectiveness

• Blocking works for frontal attacks.
• At 90 degrees or more (side attacks), blocking is ineffective.
• Blocking does not protect against rear attacks.
• If you successfully block an attack, it negates all damage from that hit.

A good rule of thumb: If you can see the attack, you can block it.

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7. Blocking in Different Game Modes

• On Normal Mode, enemies deal significantly less damage, making blocking less crucial.
• On Hard and Hard Survival, enemy damage is much higher, making blocking essential for survival.

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8. Myth: Turtle Shell Backpack Defense

There is a rumor that having a Turtle Shell in your backpack protects your back from damage. This is false—you cannot assign a Turtle Shell to your backpack as a passive defense.

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9. Advanced Blocking Strategies

• Use blocking against groups – Stand in a narrow space and let enemies hit each other while you absorb damage.
• Keep armor equipped – Even weaker armor types help mitigate damage when blocking.
• Pair blocking with movement – If you’re overwhelmed, block and retreat to a safer position.
• Practice with different weapons – Learn how different weapons handle blocking to optimize your defense.

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10. Final Thoughts

Blocking is an underrated and essential mechanic in The Forest. Mastering the best weapons for blocking can mean the difference between life and death, especially in harder difficulty settings. Whether you prefer a Rusty Axe for full protection or an Upgraded Stick for flexibility, knowing how to time your blocks effectively will give you a major survival advantage.

If you found this guide helpful, be sure to like and subscribe for more tips. Happy surviving!