diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/combat/block_parry.dm b/code/__DEFINES/combat/block_parry.dm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..bfbce5f7d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/combat/block_parry.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// We can't determine things like NORTHEAST vs NORTH *and* EAST without making our own flags :(
+#define BLOCK_DIR_NORTH			(1<<0)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_NORTHEAST		(1<<1)
+#define BLCOK_DIR_NORTHWEST		(1<<2)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_WEST			(1<<3)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_EAST			(1<<4)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_SOUTH			(1<<5)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_SOUTHEAST		(1<<6)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_SOUTHWEST		(1<<7)
+#define BLOCK_DIR_ONTOP			(1<<8)
+
+GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(dir2blockdir, list(
+	"[NORTH]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_NORTH]",
+	"[NORTHEAST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_NORTHEAST]",
+	"[NORTHWEST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_NORTHWEST]",
+	"[WEST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_WEST]",
+	"[EAST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_EAST]",
+	"[SOUTH]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_SOUTH]",
+	"[SOUTHEAST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_SOUTHEAST]",
+	"[SOUTHWEST]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_SOUTHWEST]",
+	"[NONE]" = "[BLOCK_DIR_ONTOP]",
+	))
+
+#define DIR2BLOCKDIR(d)			(GLOB.dir2blockdir["[d]"])
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm
index ff5e86c525..5f69ed289c 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm
@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@
 
 /datum/block_parry_data
 
+
 /obj/item
-	/// From a point of reference of someone facing NORTH. Put in DOWN to block attacks from our tile.
-	var/can_block_directions = list(NORTHWEST, NORTH, NORTHEAST)
+	/// See defines.
+	var/can_block_directions = BLOCK_DIR_NORTH | BLOCK_DIR_NORTHEAST | BLOCK_DIR_NORTHWEST
 	/// Defense flags, see __DEFINES/flags.dm
 	var/defense_flags = NONE
 
@@ -17,16 +18,18 @@
 
 	return ..()
 
-/// This item can be used to parry. Only a basic check.
+/// This item can be used to parry. Only a basic check used to determine if we should proceed with parry chain at all.
 #define ITEM_DEFENSE_CAN_PARRY		(1<<0)
-/// This item can be used in the directional blocking system. Only a basic check.
+/// This item can be used in the directional blocking system. Only a basic check used to determine if we should proceed with directional block handling at all.
 #define ITEM_DEFENSE_CAN_BLOCK		(1<<1)
 
+
+
 /**
   * Gets the list of directions we can block. Include DOWN to block attacks from our same tile.
   */
 /obj/item/proc/blockable_directions()
-	return list()
+	return can_block_directions
 
 /**
   * Checks if we can block from a specific direction from our direction.
@@ -41,9 +44,7 @@
 		// dir2angle(), ss13 proc is clockwise so dir2angle(EAST) == 90
 		// turn(), byond proc is counterclockwise so turn(NORTH, 90) == WEST
 		their_dir = turn(their_dir, turn_angle)
-	if(their_dir == NONE)
-		return (DOWN in blockable_directions())
-	return (their_dir in blockable_directions())
+	return (DIR2BLOCKDIR(their_dir) in blockable_directions())
 
 /**
   * can_block_direction but for "compound" directions to check all of them and return the number of directions that were blocked.