Auto Guard
| Job | Crusader |
|---|---|
| Type | Active, Supportive |
| Target | Self |
| Max level | 10 |
| SP cost | 12 → 30 |
| Duration | 300 sec |
| Catalyst | Shield equipped |
Auto Guard is an active buff skill of the Crusader class that grants a chance to completely block incoming physical attacks, whether melee or ranged, while a shield is equipped.
Overview
Auto Guard is the cornerstone of the Crusader's defensive toolkit. While the buff is active, every physical hit has a chance to be nullified outright. It is a toggle: recasting the skill cancels the active buff. A shield must be equipped both to cast and to keep the effect running.
Mechanics
Effect:
- Block chance by level: 5 / 10 / 14 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 26 / 28 / 29 / 30 (%)
- Duration: 300 seconds
When a hit is blocked, the user is briefly immobilized as the guarding animation plays, so a high block rate against rapid attackers can interrupt movement. Only physical attacks can be guarded.
While Auto Guard is active it also empowers the Crusader's shield-based offensive skills. Shield Charge, Shield Boomerang and Shield Chain each gain bonus damage equal to +2 × SkillLv (%) of their normal damage, where SkillLv is the learned level of Auto Guard.
Leveling
Block chance rises quickly through the early levels and then flattens, while the offensive bonus to shield skills keeps growing a fixed step per level. Builds that lean on shield skills benefit from maxing it for both the defence and the offence.
Requirements
A shield must be equipped to cast and maintain Auto Guard.
Notes
The block buff is shared with allies linked through Devotion. Auto Guard is a prerequisite for Shield Charge, Reflect Shield and Devotion.