so i started a new char, melee fighter sheild and sword most of the time with heavy use of block, i was just wondering if even as a heavy armor blocking tank should i still try to avoid getting hit by two handed weapons. because even with blocking they still cause a ton of damage and the killing stagger. i get staggered atleast twice every time i fight one of these guys.


and i was wondering if there was a page with combat tactics. and im not talking "make sure you carry plenty of potions" but more like, you come up against a minotuar, this may be the best why of dealing with it dodging its attacks and coming in for a slash or two. some thing like that. i know the mage way to fight "run run run spell spell spell run run run" rinse and repeat. so basicly im looking for a drill instructer page.

I think http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Swordplay will be very helpful when it comes to tactics.
Also on blocking: It is about priority. If you want to increase the amount of damage the blocking absorbs you will have to endure the abuse, but make sure you get a high agility fast. How often you are staggered are affected by it and I suggest at least 80+ when you reach the end-game levels. Races like Orcs and Bretons have a very low agility and should focus on this attribute quite early, similar to endurance.
Hope that helped

Even with a sword and board tank, it's always handy to have a bow hotkeyed. Your arrows and shield say equipped anyway, and just hotkey your sword and bow, switch between them on the fly, get a shot or two off for claymore wielding loons, stay with the sword for the rest. And helps to level the agility for knockback resistance.

I find when I play a character with a shield that it's only really worth it to block things up to a longsword. Even with a shield, I think it's better to dodge two-handed weapons and the bigger monsters - and particularly the ones with a high stagger potential - bears and ogres and the like. The shield just doesn't provide enough protection against the most powerful opponents to be worth it. And never try to block a power attack - that's just asking to be disarmed.

With anything else though, fighting with a shield is very easy. It's just a matter of learning the timing. With most things, you can just repeat swing, swing, block - swing, swing, block. There are a few things (skeletons are notable) that are faster than that and will often block your second swing or get a swing of their own in before you get your shield up. With them, I generally just drop down to swing, block - swing, block. Don't hold the shield in place, since the opponents are set to wait you out if you do. That's one of the things Beth did fairly well with Oblivion - if you just hold your shield up, most things might take a swing every once in a while, but mostly what they'll do is just wait. You have to drop it sooner or later, and when you do, they'll swing. And if they're faster than you, they'll hit. If you want to fight strategically against them, keep your shield down and just watch them. When they start to swing, put your shield up. When they hit the shield, it'll knock 'em off balance, and take that opportunity to get in a swing or two, then stop before they have a chance to block you and knock you off balance and go back to watching them.

im also running with conjuration for back up, the little scamp has saved me more then a few times against the dremora in the kvatch gate

I'm glad to see you getting some great advice on your melee tactics question.

As far as the above quote, what you suggest is. . . a course of action . . . however, might I humbly suggest that a mage might consider using illusion to immobilize her foes very effectively, then either disappear while summoning a helper or simply blast her mind controlled foes to Oblivion. Mages don't really need to run.

every time ive played a mage in any game its had to be run run spell spell run run until everything was dead. you throw enough enemies in and the little mage gets eaten alive. but the the warrior can still tank about three guys and several hits from them all while still taking down one or two before hes gotta to some emergency healing or summoning, or even running

Lothran has got quite the nasty spell, but in order to use it he needs four of his self-made magicka potions. It contains all damages/absorb plus a five second paralyze and everything in AOE.

Good against an army of goblin warlords :chaos:

If you cast a spell that turns several of your foes to your side, then disappear leaving a clannfear in your stead, why on Nirn would you need to run?

I can perhaps see why a simple fireball slinger might include running in their tactics, but being an illusionist means never having to run.

that is true. i guess maging is not my way lol to much multitasking and using the d-pad for hotkeys is a pain unless theyre on the left right up and down buttons. i never took a summoner all the to being able to summon the lich or the other uber summon the daedra one, but ive always liked summoning and itd be scary i think to see a armored wall walk into a room, all the enemies charge in and poof theres a big daedra that can carry a claymore in one hand o_o