Counter Guard

[ghost]

#5

While blocking attacks, the shield can gain stacks which fill up a bar. Let's say that the shield is absorbing the damage and containing it.

While the shield has stacks, if the shield bearer is attacked (melee or ranged) there is a configurable chance that the attacker will take damage and reduce the shield stacks. This can happen whether the shield bearer is blocking or not, as long as they are still holding the shield (changing the shield item will reset stacks, but switching the same shield between main and offhand is okay).
If the shield bearer is attacked while not blocking, the damage bonus caused by the shield stacks will be greater.

Another risk/reward situation because the shield bearer has to choose between continuing to block and cause smaller amount of damage to their attacker, or drop their guard to attack and receive damage, but deal more damage from shield stacks.

Configurables:
Of course, the amount of damage dealt while blocking and not blocking can be configurable.
Also the amount of stacks the shield can hold can be configurable, and based on ability level.
When the player stops blocking, the amount of time it takes for the stacks to gradually reduce.

It should also be configurable if the player blocks for too long and the shield gets full stacks, should they receive a penalty and lose the ability to guard for a certain period of time or until the stacks fall off, or the stacks simply reset?

Likely all of these things can be upgraded with the skill line too.