Guard

Additional Details

 * Fiona-only skill.
 * Guard can nullify all damage of most attacks (normal attacks and smash attacks) despite what the skill description says. However, certain special attacks can only be nullified by a Perfect Guard.
 * Examples of attacks that can only be blocked by Perfect Guard but not a regular Guard include Siglint's lightning circles and Havan's earthquake attacks.
 * A very small number of attacks cannot be blocked at all even if Perfect Guard is used (this also applies to Heavy Stander). These include grab attacks and Keaghan's instant-kill move, among some others.
 * Guard consumes stamina and decreases shield durability for each successive block it takes, not when it is activated.
 * It is possible to keep Guard on and keep blocking attacks until you run out of stamina.
 * It is possible to negate the stamina and durability costs by performing a Perfect Guard. This is achieved by using Guard right before the enemy's attack lands.
 * Guard can be used with a broken shield, but the user will still suffer residue damage. This decreases with each rank.
 * Guard currently works as a 360 degree skill. The game will automatically reorient a character when attacked from behind.
 * Guard is required to perform a successful Counterattack.
 * Each rank of Guard reduces stamina use, and decreases residue damage if the shield is broken.
 * Although activating Guard alone does not consume any stamina, you cannot activate this skill with no stamina.
 * Even if you do not meet the required stamina for a monster's attack (i.e. blocking a certain monster's attack will take 20 stamina, but you only have 15 left), the block will still be successful. However your stamina will be 0 after the successful block and you will be forced out of your guard stance.
 * At Rank 9, the first normal attack after a Perfect Guard counts as the third hit in a combo. (This does not apply to Large Shields.)
 * An alternative Ivy Sweep/Butterfly Swing is Perfect Guard, swing, smash.
 * An alternative Amaranth Kick/Stigma Hammer is Perfect Guard, swing, swing, smash.
 * The first normal attack after coming out of a Rank 9 guard will consume stamina. Having too little stamina will cause the player to enter the tired animation instead of allowing a subsequent smash attack or normal attack. (e.g. Guard->Third Normal->Fourth Normal->Stigma Hammer, the "Third Normal" will consume stamina but not the fourth)
 * Generates 15 SP per hit Guarded
 * Generates 18 SP per hit Perfect Guarded

How to Obtain

 * Starting skill.

Summary

 * Columns in red indicate ranks not currently released.

Ranks

 * Rows in red indicate ranks not currently released.