I got my powerbocks and jumped straight into learning without pads, with great success... but the better you get, the more the danger factor increases.

I have had 3 falls so far in 3 weeks of bocking... The first fall was at a skate park (beware waxed surfaces)... it was a gentle fall and gave me a false sense of confidence in that I thought I wouldn't really get that hurt if I fell.

The second time I fell, I just ran over a bridge in the middle of the afternoon and transitioned onto grass, not three steps onto the grass and my foot hit a wet patch and I was down on my elbows and knees. I rolled over and caught my breath. Again I was not hurt, but only because the grass was cushiony...

The third time I fell was in the middle of a street crossing between the lights at 2am... I was running faster than ever before (unpadded) I guess my foot caught and I slammed into the asphalt scuffing my left elbow badly, smashing my leg/hip area into a big purple bruise and ripping my right palm open with rocks. Whatever it was I did to protect myself may have saved my vital areas, but I took heavy cosmetic damage. I gained respect for these toys, and you should always take the proper safety precautions, that way injuries will remain few and far between.

I have gloves and elbow pads... and after a hard bock today, I re-scuffed my elbow, I agree that pads are always necessary... 

I did the same thing when I first got mine. I just strapped them up as it I was going to be a natural talent or something. lol I fell right on my hands and then face lol

After that I went to grab my old hockey gloves and helmet. I fell a few more times but no injuries. Man, just a simple pair of gloves will help so much.