I block only when I see a user who is unhinged enough and is obviously not getting banned by moderators. Usually theses people can be baited into making terrible arguments terrible opinions backed by either terrible ideology or lies, and mods can deal with them.
I think reporting users is more effective to not let the whole site become completely unusable by attracting shitheads/trolls/agitators who even if blocked keep posting garbage because that might be seen by new users.
Also responding to them is taxing on some people’s mental health, so this isint for everyone and I get why people might opt for it. I prefer arguing since there is a chance that they might be misinformed or hot headed (me included).
Honestly it depends on how you want to engage with a platform.
It would be best to focus on policies and ideas rather than ideological alignement. The moment someone says “thats socialist!” “That’s right wing!” Is the moment where no meaningful action is taken, where discussion ends since you suddenly decide that your alignment is irreconcilable and makes no outcome possible.