Blocking in Super Mario RPG is an important game mechanic that lets a party member receive little to no damage when done right. Know how to block, when to use it, and more!

How to Block Attacks

Block to Reduce Damage

Blocking is a mechanic part of the game's Action Commands.

Like Timed Attacks where you press a button at the right moment during an attack, Blocking is done by pressing the A, B, X or Y button before an attack lands on a party member.

A block is successful when a star effect around the party member is shown when an attack hits. This will reduce the damage of the attack.

Attacks with Star are Blockable

Attacks that display stars (★) when receiving damage can be blocked!

Attacks with No Stars are Unblockable

Meanwhile, attacks that do not show stars are not blockable.

Timing Perfect Blocks Negate Damage

A Perfect Block can happen if the block is timed within a 5-frame window of the attack landing on a party member. Instead of reducing the damage of the attack, it will completely nullify the damage.

One example would be perfectly blocking Boomer's Shaker, which instead of dropping a party member's HP to 1, the damage of Shaker is reduced to 0 and its Mortal Blow effect is negated.

Blocking Prevents Instant Death

Mortal Blows (or Instant Death attacks) are one-hit knockout moves used by some bosses like Smithy and Boomer. Most of these attacks are blockable and can be completely negated by equipment such as the Quartz Charm.

When a Mortal Blow is dealt to a party member, there are two scenarios: regular blocking will reduce the party member's HP to 1 while perfect blocking will completely negate the damage.

It is important to block Mortal Blows, since this will immediately cause any target party member to fall in battle. If a member falls, you will have to switch them out, or use an item such as Pick Me Up or Peach's special move Come Back.

Best Accessories

Block to Fill Action Gauge for Triple Moves

Blocking an attack successfully will fill up your Action Gauge to use Triple Moves. Triple Moves are strong moves that involve the entire party, and can be used to either protect your whole party from damage or deal massive damage to enemies!

Accessories such as the Teamwork Band can help in increasing the amount filled for the Action Gauge.

How to Fill Action Gauge Fast

What Cannot Be Blocked?

Elemental Attacks are Usually Unblockable

Some elemental attacks are unblockable such as Bundt and Raspberry's's Blizzard. In dealing with cases like this, certain equipment such as Booster's Charm can protect the wearer by reducing damage received from elemental attacks.

Most elemental attacks are multi-target moves, so keep a look out when they are used! Enemies can run out of FP to use for elemental attacks. When this happens, a prompt will appear on the top-right signalling that the enemy has run out of FP when trying to use a special move.

List of Elements and Effects

Most Status Attacks are Unblockable

Attacks such as Belome's Light Bubble are often unblockable. The only way to deal with them is by equipping certain accessories such as the Safety Ring or curing yourself with items or special moves like Peach's Group Hug.

List of Status Conditions and How to Heal

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