diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7b6f4db5e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/living_blocking_parrying.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+// yell at me later for file naming
+// This file contains stuff relating to the new directional blocking and parry system.
+/mob/living
+	var/obj/item/blocking_item
+	var/parrying = FALSE
+	var/parry_frame = 0
+
+/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)
+	/// Defense flags, see __DEFINES/flags.dm
+	var/defense_flags = NONE
+
+/obj/item/Initialize(mapload)
+
+	return ..()
+
+/// This item can be used to parry. Only a basic check.
+#define ITEM_DEFENSE_CAN_PARRY		(1<<0)
+/// This item can be used in the directional blocking system. Only a basic check.
+#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()
+
+/**
+  * Checks if we can block from a specific direction from our direction.
+  *
+  * @params
+  * * our_dir - our direction.
+  * * their_dir - their direction. Must be a single direction, or NONE for an attack from the same tile.
+  */
+/obj/item/proc/can_block_direction(our_dir, their_dir)
+	if(our_dir != NORTH)
+		var/turn_angle = dir2angle(our_dir)
+		// dir2angle(), ss13 proc is clockwise so dir2angle(EAST) == 90
+		// turn(), byond proc is counterclockwise so turn(NORTH, 90) == WEST
+	if(their_dir == NONE)
+		return (DOWN in blockable_directions())
+	return (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.
+  *
+  * @params
+  * * our_dir - our direction.
+  * * their_dirs - list of their directions as we cannot use bitfields here.
+  */
+/obj/item/proc/can_block_directions_multiple(our_dir, list/their_dirs)
+	. = 0
+	for(var/i in their_dirs)
+		. += can_block_direction(our_dir, i)