Knock down

A knock down or KD causes a target to temporarily fall down. Knocked down characters cannot move, activate skills with an activation time, or switch weapons. Knock downs mostly function the same as standard interrupts; however, since they are technically different game mechanics, KDs can interrupt through skills such as Mantra of Concentration.

Unless otherwise stated, a knock down lasts 2 seconds; it can be extended to 3 seconds using Stonefist Insignias or certain skills. Some skills, such as Gust, can knock down for 3 seconds; three other skills can knock down for 4 seconds (Choking Breath, Backbreaker, and Psychic Instability). A knocked-down target cannot be knocked down again until they get up; however, they can be knocked down again the instant they begin to rise (see quarterknocking).

Some monsters carry Stun on Critical Hit, causing them to knock down foes when the score critical hits (e.g. Abyssals, Wallows, and many Giants). Some monsters carry Stun Immunity, which prevents them from being knocked down, including Giants, Wurms, and Dolyak Riders. Player-available Siege Devourer form and Desert Wurm (disguise) have the immunity to knock down as well.

A small number foes, including Shiro, can be difficult or impossible to knock down for other reasons.

Enhancements

 * The warrior armor upgrade component Stonefist Insignia increases the duration of all knock downs inflicted by the Warrior by 1 second. This upgrade cannot extend durations beyond 3 seconds.
 * The skill Earthbind sets a minimum duration of knock downs to 3 seconds.

PvP tactics
As stated above, knocked down characters cannot use skills with activation times. Even a single knock down can make a difference in combat, and knock downs can be used for various purposes.


 * A common tactic is to knock down monks while spiking another character, to prevent monks from healing them.
 * Knocking down (and otherwise snaring) flag and relic runners and kiting players is a good tactic.
 * Knock-lock is the technique of repeatedly inflicting knock downs on targets to shut them down.

Trivia

 * The game sometimes refers to knock down as stun in some internal (and normally inaccessible) skill descriptions.