Resident Evil 7 – How to Block
A new feature introduced in Resident Evil 7 is the ability to block enemy attacks. With a tap, Ethan can raise his hands up defensively and reduce the amount of damage he takes from foes. To block your enemies, simply tap and hold down the L1 (or LB if you’re on Xbox One).
You can hold the button while you’re being attacked by enemies to reduce how hurt you’ll be. However, if you hit it at the right time – just before the enemy attack lands – this reduction becomes even greater. Think of it as a parry system of sorts, where if you do it at an optimal time, you can take the least damage. Ideally, you’ll want to hit the block button just as some monster is swinging down at you. Once you’ve successfully blocked the attack, you can quickly follow up by shooting your foe or hack away at them with a knife.
The mechanic seems to be highly effective, especially on Easy and Normal difficulty. However, your mileage may vary if you’re playing on the significantly tougher Madhouse difficulty. You’re going to want to dodge, avoid, and beat up instead, then.
For more tips, tricks, and information on RE7, be sure to check out our ever-expanding wiki guide.