The new blocking system isn't horrible, and you can block most of the damage from incoming hits, so In valheim, armor has diminishing returns the higher it is, but "block armor" is not just added to your base armor.

Instead, your "block armor" will reduce the damage of the incoming blow (the party bonus will multiply this armor value when you parry, but diminishing returns and all that), this reduced damage will then be what is applied to your character and their armor.

So with a shield, you will take very little to no damage, but costs stamina.

HP does not improve the block, but makes you harder to stagger.

You no longer stagger anytime damage gets through your block, only if enough damage gets through to fill your stagger meter. So with even one hp food, some armor and a shield, you will rarely stagger, unless your just face tanking a whole group of fulings ;D



I'm not saying it's better then what we had before, but it's workable, and it definitely makes tower shields feel a bit more viable (they knockback enemies when you block)

And you still get the stagger on an enemy when your parry for your crits :)

So parrying is still a rewarding skill to learn, but more for offense then defense.