In looking over the One-Handed perks, I see perks for "sprinting," "standing," and "backwards" power attacks. The first one is obvious, but just to be sure, is a standing power attack simply that you stand still while you do it? And what is a backwards power attack and how do you perform it?

Also, for the shield bash ability, how do you perform it? Just hold down the block key? If so, does this mean you can no longer just hold your shield up constantly, since that also requires you to hold down the block key?

Thanks!

For power attacks you hold down the attack button while moving in the direction required for the particular power attack or standing still for a standing power attack. For a backwards power attack you have to be backing up while holding down the attack button.

For a bash you hit the attack button while blocking. If you have the perk you can power bash by holding down the attack button while blocking.

Thanks! I've never played a melee character yet, so I didn't realize there were actually different types of power attacks. I thought they were all just basically a strong swing of the weapon.

And good news about the shield bash, I was way off in how I thought you did it.

For normal shield bash you hold down the left button to block and tap the right button while blocking to "attack" with your shield.

For a power bash (which requires the perk) you hold down the left button to block and work the right button like you are doing a power attack with any weapon, i.e. hold it down longer instead of just tapping it.

In either case holding down the left button means your shield is raised to block, simultaneously using the right button will turn the shield into a weapon with which to attack (bash) your opponent. IF the left button is already being held down then the right button will make the shield do the striking instead of whatever weapon you might be holding in your right hand.

I would assume that, yes, a standing power attack means you are not moving when executing it. For the sprinting perk I would think you'd have to sprint rather than just run into your enemies.

I don't know about the backwards attack, I've never pulled one of those off AFAIK. If I did it was an accident.

Edit:

Cool, I always kinda thought that was the case, I just never tried to do it on purpose.

The shield bash is awesome, even without any perks in block. A plain old shield bash will stagger an opponent and interrupt any spells or power attacks they are doing. It will also take down a ward. You can also bash with a 2H weapon.

Those shield bash, and shield bash power attacks are very deadly. In fact, the entire righthand side of the block tree turns your shield into a very versatile weapon in it's own right. It does work better with different types of shields though. When I go sword and board, I would say that around half my kills are shield kills.

Two hand weapons bash better then shields. A lot better. For one hand power attacks the backwards power attack is extremely hard to pull off. A lot easier with a two hand weapon.