Just trying to find out with some surety if there is the ability to block with 2 handed weapons such as staves or melee two handed weapons?

Also, if one can block with two handers what is the block rate vs. a shield?

Aeno

You can block with anything but a shield is best at blocking. I am wondering if they got the animation right for 2-H blocking though... where you actually hold part of the blade.

I was in the last beta and I saw no Half-sword techniques, blocking or attacking. Both hands stayed below the hilt.

Which means it's really a parry, not a block, but that's just splitting hairs at that point really.

Halfswording in a game like this? Keep dreaming.

Unfortunately melee combat in games has become completely detached from the actual thing, more and more giving into the stereotype of whacking stuff with a big metal rod.

Then again, wanting plausibility if not realism in games like this is asking for a lot. And they are ultimately fantasy of course.