Skyrim: Blocking and you, or This is why you keep dying.

[kortin]

I don't like using shields though. I take the dragonfire to the face and come out alive.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I can't block with my bow.....and usually don't need to

Actually, bows are quite effective at blocking!

Forgive my squirrely ignorance, but can't you block with a 2-handed weapon? You don't get the +def, but I know I've done it.

You can.

Please dont be a fool and ignore block, it will save your ass many times over.

Very true... I started the game focusing on destruction magic but around level 25 or so destruction starts to fall behind the levelling curve, so I'm pouring points into Block now as it seems far more useful.

 

[andreas3K]

I'm all about attacking. I snipe them with a bow and when they get close, I start swinging like a madman with a two handed sword. And if things get a bit too hot for me, I run away like a boss.

 

[cybran]

I want to duel wield shields.

if anyone get that unforgotten realms reference i will give you a candy

 

[Montezuma's Lawyer]

Forgive my squirrely ignorance, but can't you block with a 2-handed weapon? You don't get the +def, but I know I've done it.

You can technically do it, but you're really not doing anything other than making yourself an easy target.

 

[SoupCanX]

A primary thing me is always defense. However I will remain to Light Armor if i'm stealthy or try to get defense buffs/enchants if i'm playing as a mage.

I always try to play a bit with every type of character... Mainly because I never like what I do

 

[Agayek]

Considering there's only been one instance where I died due to legit combat tactics and not a poorly timed bug, I'm not too worried about it. Especially since by this point in the game I'm an unstoppable juggernaut of death, with 921 armor, a pair of Daedric weapons doing 213 damage each (and enchanted with lifeleech) and every Shout having at least 2 Words (and only 5 without all 3). I think I used Block once, right at the beginning of the game (before I looted a second sword from the Imperials), then never touched it again afterwards.

Also, tanking dragon breath is really nothing special. It really doesn't do that much damage, and as long as you have potions, you win. The only difficult/annoying part of fighting dragons is getting them on the ground, and even that is rendered extremely easy once you get Dragonrend.

PS - Odahviing is a colossal badass. Someone make a mod that lets me use him as a mount.

Edit: Also, WRT to anti-mage shit, just grab the Atronach sign. -50% incoming magic damage + +50 magicka = win and victory.

 

[Count Igor]

I can't block with my bow.....and usually don't need to

Actually, bows are quite effective at blocking!

Forgive my squirrely ignorance, but can't you block with a 2-handed weapon? You don't get the +def, but I know I've done it.

You can.

Please dont be a fool and ignore block, it will save your ass many times over.

Very true... I started the game focusing on destruction magic but around level 25 or so destruction starts to fall behind the levelling curve, so I'm pouring points into Block now as it seems far more useful.

First off: You're awesome.

But to the point, I'm sort of in your situation - I'm level 22 with 72 destruction. I've got almost 500 magicka and have put nothing into health or stamina (because I'm silly like that).

Should I now focus on putting points into weapons/block/stealth/health - that kinda thing? Or am I slightly too far gone?

I ask you because A: you're awesome (did I tell you that?), and B: You seemed to be in my kind of situation. (If you mean level 25 destruction, ignore me.)

Danké.

 

[Agayek]

although that slowing-down-time skill sounds pretty rad.

There's a shout for that. It doesn't fire automatically on power attacks, but it is rather nifty, especially as an archer.

 

[AngryMongoose]

I can't block, but when my opponant is dead with my dagger sitting in his throat, and his mates are still fully engrossed in their paper, why would I care?

Haven't exactly died since my first solo dragon fight, and a time I tried to tackle head on a fight you're meant to sneak past.

 

[Zanaxal]

I find Skyrim ridicolously easy to where its dull, really the few times blocking would be handy they usually do so much damage it goes straight through anyways. Also the time stopping dring to your full hp inventory makes it a joke. The people that call this game hard obviously never played any other similar Rpg other then somth like ezmode fallout 3.

A few examples would be Divinity 2 and Gothic 3 with all patches, both a million times harder and also open world. I mean i gave up playing even on the easiest difficulty just because of the sheer stupifying 2 shots of some spell you dead. In divinity it was whatever mob was equal level would pummel you to near death with drinking a bunch of potions.

I guess i have to start playing some naked mage with daggers to have some challenge. running around with Ebony armor with +100% weapon dmg enchants total and a Legendary Daedric sword when i just met the Blades kind of makes it a bit boring. Pretty much 1 hit anything dies. Just some dragons that are a little annoying cause they refuse to land.

 

[Bendebec]

Hmm, I don't really have time for shields when IM KILLING DRAGONS WITH MY FISTS

(Fists of steel perk + Claws + Smithing + legendary Dragon plate gauntlets = Win)

 

[La Barata]

I know a guy who's playing a turtle.

Two shields, running like a hooker from a vengeful pimp from everything.

 

[VoidWanderer]

In the Champions Hall, its the chick with Strongarm as a last name.

Guess what she teaches

 

[Lawllerskater]

Even though I use two handed weapons and bows, I agree with you. I used a shield for a small portion of the game and it made combat so much easier.

I mainly play with dual wielding/bows because I try to immerse myself into the game as my character, and what he'd use.

I know that sounds nerdy and all, but it's neat in a sense. I'm not one to usually...well I guess "role play", but the freedom Skyrim gives, it just seems too fun not to. I don't really want to charge up all mah powers and become a god amoungst men, being proficient in every skill in the world. That wouldn't be that fun to me.

 

[lacktheknack]

Why would I need to consider defense?

All my enemies are dead before they even realise I'm there. When you're practically invisible, literally silent, and you can kill any enemy in a single hit (X60 damage on daggers) defence ceases to even be a concern.

I had planned to level up blocking (I even have a shield equipped) but so far I've barely even had a chance to try it.

And you don't have to. Remember, there's three classes of skill, stealth/guile vs magic vs combat. Combat specialists should probably consider block, but full mages/thieves probably don't have to.

Question - can you block using your two-handed weapon, a la Oblivion?

 

[Isalan]

If shooting it in the head with my Shock/Paralyse Bow doesn't work, then I resort to large quantites of fireballs.

If that doesn't work, then running like all hell is what I'm saving my stamina for.

 

[The Lugz]

Please dont be a fool and ignore block, it will save your ass many times over.

don't worry, i wont.

i have block maxed already, as-well as heavy armour and one-handed, being a primarily melee char it's completely essential
i spent my entire game time thus-far farming dungeons for gold / loot
and i had the 30% warrior skill boost stone
now i'm using the lord stone - magic and + armour or some such

and my block makes me nearly immune to magic because i have otar and a magic resistance necklace and ring
( something like 60% magic resistance, plus the block perk effect )

it's very easy to become overpowered if you min-max in this game, especially if you use alchemy's potions to max out enchanting and smiting and craft yourself armour with overpowered stats..

for example, i managed to smith an ebony sword up to 185 + damage and 31 frost and 31 fire damage
i can two shot a giant with power attacks, possibly one shot it if i get a sprint attack crt
as it deals double critical damage

for the record, fully smithed dragon armour is 1200 armour and you can have over 800 health in it fairly easily at level 40+
levelling scales very nicely compared with oblivion too

I know a guy who's playing a turtle.

Two shields, running like a hooker from a vengeful pimp from everything.

.................
.................
wh.. why didn't i try that???
totally doing that. now.
brb dragon-slapping time.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I'm more of a magic guy so I rarely use a shield. I usually charge in with an axe in one hand and a lightning bolt in the other, and see who wins. As for Dragons I find Ward spells usually take the sting out of their breath.