Shields Up Balanced Blocking
⚪ Last updated 2024⚠️ Install Order · 3 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview

🔍 Analysis
- 👍 1.8% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
- 🏆 #133 of 402 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
In this mod, you regenerate 3 fatigue/s less when blocking.
The vanilla formula for fatigue regeneration speed is (from UESP):
2. 5 + (0. 02 Endurance) fatigue/sec
That means that you regenerate 3 fatigue/s at 25 Endurance and 4. 5 fatigue/s at 100 Endurance.
While blocking, you will regenerate 0 fatigue/s at 25 Endurance and 1. 5 fatigue/s at 100 Endurance.
In original mod, there were no disadvantages in being in the block mode constantly. With my changes, constantly being in the block mode is disadvantageous and you need to time the blocking.
Works in OpenMW.
Just like original mod, requires Tribunal.
Original mod:
https://www.nexusmods.com/morrowind/mods/43978
Description of the original mod:
The Sneak key is underused in Morrowind; it is one of the few controls that is explicitly useful for one type of character (even Ready Weapon can be used for lockpicks and Ready Magic for enchantments), and this mod attempts to fix that.
Sneak now has a new function if you have your weapons raised: blocking. You can no longer "auto-block" attacks, but crouching will give you a large chance to block an attack (based on your Block skill). If you have weapons but are not holding a shield (or if you have some weapon taking priority over your shield), you instead receive a lower chance to parry the attack with your weapons or fists when you crouch. This chance is also based on your Block skill.
I also edited the controls menu to say "Sneak/Block" instead of "Sneak".
The chances are as follows:
Block Skill Block Chance Parry Chance
<15 30% 5%
15-29 38% 10%
30-39 45% 15%
40-49 52% 20%
50-59 60% 25%
60-69 68% 30%
70-79 75% 35%
80-89 82% 40%
90-99 90% 45%
100 (or more) 200% 50%
The actual chance to block is given by this calculation (with Block Bonus being the above percentage):
((Player Agility / 5) + (Player Luck / 10)) (0. 75 + 0. 5 Player Fatigue Percent) + Block Bonus
- ((Enemy Weapon Skill + (Enemy Agility / 5) + (Enemy Luck / 10)) (0. 75 + 0. 5 * Enemy Fatigue Percent))
That's why the 200% is actually very nice.
Installation:
This mod requires Tribunal to function.
Just activate the ESP in your Morrowind launcher or use the Nexus Mod Manager. You can install the mod in the middle of your playthrough without any proble
This is a balance tweak for the Shields Up! mod, which replaces vanilla dice-roll blocking with manual blocking. It slows fatigue regeneration while blocking, making constant blocking less viable. For players who found the original too easy or want more strategic stamina management.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Tightens up combat by making you think about when to block, not just hold it forever
- Small but active community (38 endorsements) — the tweak has its fans
- Directly addresses a common complaint about the original mod's balance
⚠️ Cons
- Requires the original Shields Up! mod — this is a patch, not standalone
- Only 38 endorsements, so it's a niche tweak within a niche mod
- No detailed changelog or patch notes — you're trusting the author's judgment
For players who already use Shields Up! and want a tougher, more stamina-conscious blocking experience. Skip if you're new to manual blocking or prefer the original's more forgiving pace.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Make sure you have the original Shields Up! mod installed first — this is a patch, not a standalone mod.
- Test blocking in a low-stakes fight to get a feel for the new fatigue drain before diving into tough encounters.
- If you're using a mod manager, load this after the original mod to ensure the balance changes apply.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Morrowind Mods
- Author
- Apoapse - author of original mod Artemgur - balance tweaks
- Version
- 1.1.1
- Downloads
- 2,110
- Endorsements
- 38
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 7/17/2021
- Updated
- 6/6/2024
🔧 How to Install Morrowind Mods
Download from Nexus.
📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Morrowind →
Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.
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