Unarmed Parry Is Unarmed Block?

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by dataweaver

Are there any weapons that both Block and Parry? Because if not, I could definitely see a case for lumping blocks and parries together into one thing and attributing the differences between them to the properties of the weapon being used to defend.

In GURPS terms, no. Block is something unique to Shields and Cloaks, and Shields and Cloaks can only Block. A dueling buckler, a bladed shield, etc all Block. The only possible exception is the Dueling Long Shield - as it can be wielded with Shield or Staff, it may be capable of Blocking (Shield) and Parrying (Staff).

In the real world, something like what GURPS calls a Parry can be done with a shield or cloak (and probably should be with the latter!), and a warding GURPS-like Block can be done with pretty much any weapon, even your bare hands! We actually already see some of this in GURPS - a Block that succeeds without DB functions much like a Parry (swept aside for no damage), while an unarmed Parry against a swinging weapon that fails without the default +3 (because non-cinematic unarmed skills don't get that against such weapons) functions much like a Block (interposing object takes the damage instead).