What can actually be blocked

[Gnomish_Inquisition]

projectiles can be blocked

you can’t block AoEs (siphon souls/judgment) and debuffs (cof etc)

as i recall the rule basically is , if it can be dodged or deflected it can be blocked

and from ceno re projectels with aoe (eg trozan/meteors)

Question: Does player Armor stat affect (reduce damage from) AOE attacks?

huh what Shields cannot block AoEs or Debuffs. But they can block projectiles that have an AoE detonation or that apply a debuff on hit.