A combo of Striking Shield followed by Shield Block:
You present your shield. Its scaled pattern unfolds into a serpent, biting the writhing mass for 24 damage.
The writhing mass lashes you with a tentacle, dealing 1 damage.
The writhing mass grabs you with a tentacle and pulls you closer to its snapping maw.
The serpents surround you, hissing defensively.
The writhing mass attempts to grab onto you with a tentacle, but you slip away.
Going to have to see if I can pull it off to block an attack that will actually do damage.
Edit: Another combo, this time ending with Sudden Bash:
You present your shield. Its scaled pattern unfolds into a serpent, biting the writhing mass for 17 damage.
The writhing mass lashes you with a tentacle, dealing 1 damage.
The serpents surround you, hissing defensively.
You urge your serpentine minions forward, striking at the writhing mass for 20 damage.
Edit again: Per a suggestion from Mag, I tried a combo that ends in Serpent Strike
You present your shield. Its scaled pattern unfolds into a serpent, biting the bats for 21 damage.
The bats swoop down, butting into you for 2 damage.
The serpents surround you, hissing defensively.
You urge your serpentine minions forward, striking at the bats for 19 damage.
You lunge at the bats with your serpents, dealing them 13 damage.