Getting flanked as a tank?

[Wolfandre]

I did some test and this might just be from my experience, not an end-all-be-all argument but tanks in fact do not take more damage from behind. The parry and block cone is less than 180 degrees so in fact, it seems you can't parry or block from the flank or from the rear (expected).

I'll actually go on record and agree, however, it's worse than you thought.

Just ran outside of Revenant's Toll and fought a Nix (toad). They are a larger enemy, granted, but I was only able to block or parry when he was in a ~90 degree angle in front of me. Behind, 90 degree to the side, and even slightly past the 90 mark were all total failures, and that's with Holy Shield (NQ) and Bulwark active.

Actual damage received from behind (as opposed to unblocked attacks from the front that do land) is unchanged.

So, yeah. Placement is everything. Get dem mobs in that front 90 in order to be most effective.

[MBTL90]

Along a similar vein: unlike in several other mmo's, you can block/parry while casting.