Oh no! The water! I'm in big trouble if I don't fetch it!
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Block (リフレクトガード Rifurekuto Gādo, lit. "Reflect Guard"), also known as Guard (ガード Gādo), is a skill introduced in Kingdom Hearts. It allows the user to block many frontal attacks with their weapon.
Mechanics
In Kingdom Hearts, Guard is an combat ability that costs 2 AP to equip. It is a single blocking swing triggered by pressing 
while standing stationary or walking, making it easier to meet with incoming attacks without needing Sora to deflect/clash with it via an attack of his own. Just like with attacking the incoming move, if the recoil value of Sora's Keyblade is greater than that of the blocked attack, Sora will recover quickly and will be able to use Counterattack. If the recoil of the blocked attack is greater, Sora will suffer a longer period of recoil.
In Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, Guard is an enemy card effect that costs 40 CP to equip and lasts for one reload. It blocks all frontal attacks, nullifying damage.
In Kingdom Hearts II, Guard is an action ability that costs 2 AP to equip. It is triggered by pressing while standing stationary or walking. Roxas's version of Guard only blocks attacks from the front, while Sora's version can also block some attacks from the rear during activation due to the initial spin. Guard provides invulnerability to damage for applicable attacks during a successful animation, which unlike in Kingdom Hearts shows Sora/Roxas recoiling in a defensive state as opposed to being staggered. Block (ガード Gādo, lit. "Guard) also appears as a Reaction Command that can be used to negate Sephiroth's Swift Slash attack.
In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Limit Form has Guard as one of its default abilities. Limit Form's version activates quicker, lasts longer, and has a shorter recovery period than the standard version, though lacks the ability to defend from the rear during activation.
In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Block is an ability panel. It is triggered by pressing 
while standing stationary, and holding the button extends the duration of the block whenever any attacks come into contact in succession. It can be upgraded from Block LV1 up to Block LV2, Block LV3, and Block LV4 by linking Block LV+ Ⓛ (ガードアップⓁ Gādo Appu Ⓛ, lit. "Guard Up Ⓛ") panels to it. Increasing the ability's level decreases the time after a block during which commands are unavailable and decreases the recoil that occurs after a successful block. It can also be linked to various sub-panels, which can be synthesized at the Moogle Shop.
In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Block is a defense command that has a maximum level of 3. It is triggered by pressing while standing stationary or walking, and holding the button extends the duration of the block.
In Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Block is a Bonus Booster ability that is triggered by pressing while standing stationary. Holding the button extends the duration of the block whenever any attacks come into contact in succession.
In Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Block is a defense command that is triggered by pressing while standing stationary or walking. Holding the button extends the duration of the block.
In Kingdom Hearts III, Block is an action ability that costs 2 AP to equip. It is triggered by pressing while standing stationary only. Unlike in previous games, Block can be used while airborne and while underwater. Block has an area of effect of 220° in front of Sora, and a duration of 0.6 seconds. After a successful Block, Sora will continue blocking any attacks that connect until his guard is lowered; each subsequent connection will reset the guard stance. Some enemy attacks can break Sora's guard, which staggers him and immediately renders him vulnerable to damage unless the Risk Dodge ability is equipped and is activated, and other attacks can be blocked from any direction. Attacks that are unblockable are telegraphed with a red circle whenever they hit.
In Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory, characters will automatically use Block against enemy attacks during boss battles. Depending on the player's performance, it may fail to activate, causing the player to take damage.
Learning Block
Kingdom Hearts
- Sora learns Guard at level 9 with the Dream Shield, 24 with the Dream Rod, or 36 with the Dream Sword.
Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
- Sora learns Guard at level 15 with the Dream Shield, 24 with the Dream Sword, or 33 with the Dream Rod.
Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
- The Large Body enemy card has Guard as its effect.
- The Black Fungus enemy card can randomly activate Guard.
- The Darkside enemy card can mimic an enemy's Guard.
Kingdom Hearts II
- Roxas learns Guard after defeating the Twilight Thorn.
Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix
- Roxas learns Guard after defeating the Twilight Thorn.
- Limit Form has Guard as a default ability.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Block ② is a clear bonus for Mission 07.- Block ④ can be purchased for 2400 Heart Points once Roxas is promoted to Master rank.
Block LV+ Ⓛ can be purchased for 2400 Heart Points once Roxas is promoted to Master rank, can be purchased for 6000 Heart Points once Roxas is promoted to Legend rank, and can be obtained from a chest at the Bridge in Mission 22.
Panels which link to Block
Perfect Block Ⓛ: Allows you to block just as an attack hits to eliminate recoil.
Block-Counter Ⓛ: Allows you to respond with a powerful counterattack immediately after blocking.
Block-Retreat Ⓛ: Allows you to recoil farther after you block an attack.
Sliding Block Ⓛ: Allows you to quickly slide forward as you block.
Block-Jump Ⓛ: Allows you to jump right after you block without any delay.
Fire Block Ⓛ: Allows you to ignite enemies sometimes when you block (15% base chance).
Blizzard Block Ⓛ: Allows you to freeze enemies sometimes when you block (15% base chance).
Thunder Block Ⓛ: Allows you to jolt enemies sometimes when you block (15% base chance).
Aero Block Ⓛ: Allows you to air-toss enemies sometimes when you block (15% base chance).
Block Bonus Ⓛ: Allows you to generate HP prizes sometimes when you block.
Round Block Ⓛ: Allows you to block any attack, even if it comes from behind.
Auto-Block Ⓛ: Allows you to automatically block frontal attacks.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
- Terra and Ventus have Block as an initial command.
- Terra and Ventus can purchase Block from the Command Shop for 200 munny once one world is cleared or the command has already been obtained elsewhere.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
- Data-Sora learns Block by linking the CPU to the respective Bonus Booster in the second section of the Stat Matrix.
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
- Sora and Riku have Block as an initial command.
Kingdom Hearts III
- Sora has Block as a default ability.
Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory
Synthesized commands
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Block is used to meld the following commands: