I was concerned when I read about the revamped combat system, because if my reading into of the mechanics is right, they essentially nerfed both of my preferred character options. I no longer can use a shield as a fighter-mage type character, and if I can't block(technically parry) with a one handed sword, it's a little unbalanced(not to mention doesn't fit into the RP concept, which kinda kills the immersion). As well, I do not know if I can block with only a single one handed sword, and that worries me, because my other favorite concept is sort of an assassin type(which kinda nixes the shield). If I can't effectively play my concepts, it will ruin the immersion, and that will impact my enjoyment of the game. That's not to mention the ruining of the immersion from the fact that anyone who has even an inkling of combat training should be able to parry with a one handed sword, effectively or otherwise.

You could never parry with any weapon in Elder Scrolls to be technical.

But no, I'm pretty sure you can block with a one-handed weapon. Dual Wielding idk.

Some of the articles have been contradicting, but I'd assume you can.

Probably.
I don't see why they would take it out.

And I hope they don't take it out for duel wielding either. Because if you have a staff in your left hand, and a sword in your right hand, you can still block with the sword, Oblivion style.

I think it's been confirmed that you can't block when dual wielding sword+sword or sword+spell, not sure about just a sword though. Kinda disappointed about it myself but I'm sure they have their reasons.

In real life? With 2 hands, maybe.

In game? Probably.

is there dual wielding?

They said that, with the new combat system, blocking is going to be the only thing keeping you alive. I seriously doubt any weapon decisions barring unarmed or using two spells would leave you without a block of some sort. And if there are, there will be a secondary way to avoid being hit.

EDIT: Also, yes, Scaleman. The new combat system is centred on dual-wielding.

so therefore if you have to keep blocking in mind, does that mean that you can become injured, maybe start to limp, like in fallout or even worst.

Of course you will be able to (probably)
It will just be less efficient. In fact I think i heard those words somewhere pertianing to the topic, but I could be wrong and likely am.

There is no way they will make a character that can't block at all. And if so, really poor design choice.

Where has it said sword+sword can't block? If this is the case i'm sure they did it because if you tried to block dragon fire or magic with sword+sword it would look slightly weird.

I don't really keep track of where I see everything so it could be a mistake on my part.

If they implemented a blocking system like in Mount & Blade, it would be fantastic. You choose the direction to block from.

You can use a shield as a fighter-mage type character. You'll have a shield in one hand, and a spell in the other. What you can't do is have a shield in one hand, a sword in other, and still be able to cast spells; nor can you have a sword in one hand, a spell in the other, and still be able to block.

You can block with a one-handed weapon, it seems, but only if you do not have anything in your other hand.

Blocking with one handed has not been confirmed. They have mentioned with shield and with a two handed weapon u can block. They have also said no block with magic and 1 handed. Seems more likely you can not block with one hand. But if you can that will be great, as then it will be easy to mod as there will already be a one handing blocking animations to use for magic/duel weld blocking which I might want.

im not positive but couldnt you block with a one-handed sword in oblivion even if you werent using a shield or was that just two handed swords?

I think that left and Right bumpers will be to block (Xbox 360). I remember reading that somewhere.

if blocking with one-handed weapon is not permited , it will be a totally failling aspect. I think the best solution to maintain the "balance" is decreasing the porcentaje of effectivity , giving priority to the most reasonable organization.
For me reasonable scale would be (at master level skill and excluding perks):

82% Shield
64% Hammer ,Claymore ,Axe
58% Dual wielding one handed weapons
53% Long Blade, Mace, the more little small axe
44% Hand to hand, Bow , Staff-polearm
40% one-hand weapon with equipped spell
38% Dagger
20% both hands equipped with spells

In addition when a weapon blocks another too many heavy compared with itself, must exists a possibility (yes porcentajes again) that make the blocking character loses his/her weapon being disarmed, this of course icludes a own disarming animation.
the possibility would follows this orden (only for two handed and the like):

-two-handed weapon/ dargon claw / giant punch (and others big creatures)
two handed 0% /one handed not dagger7%/ dual wielding 1% /one handed dagger 45%

I'm sure you can parry with one-handed weapon.

In real life two fighters swords would clash together, not only when they block. SO I sure hope we can block because I just love it when two sowrds clash together. But it would be a it odd if we can block with only one weapon, if we cannot block when using a spell and a sword. If dual wielding can block by pressing both action buttons at the same time, a spell sowrd should be able to do the same thing too, locking with his sword. :confused:

Maybe the Shield spell could become the new block for mages? They conjure a little arcane barrier that functions like a shield.

And, hopefully you'll still be able to block when dual'ing swords. Just hold both of them together in an "X" shape, it'd function like a shield.

I hope that you can block/parry with a single sword. Wouldn't make a whole lot of sense if you couldn't.

I know its minor, but I'm hoping that you will wield it with both hands. It makes more sense and it looks cooler. Maybe you could even pick the way you hold it and get better bonuses. Like a stance that makes Parrying/Blocking easier with a slight hit on doing damage (plus your strikes could look different; blade in front, pointed at opponent), and one that lets you strike harder but Block/Parry slower (samurai like back-down ready stance, or held like a bat).

At any rate, I'm hoping for a two handed hold option and perks that let you do that. If not...well, hopefully there'll be something like a 2-Handed Akaviri Katana, and I'll just work with that. *shrug*

I suppose you can only equip one spell at a given hand in a given time. being unable to block if the spell you have equiped is not shield spell is the same limitation as not being able to block with any spell equiped.

It's simple enough... When not using anything in your 'off-hand' that is how you block. So, if my sword is equipped to my right hand the left trigger is how I block. The only fighting styles that cannot block would be duel wield and weapon + spell. (Though, you could very easily assign that spell to a hotkey, and unequip it to block)

They said that you'd be able to use your left/right mouse buttons or left/right triggers on a controller to control the items you were holding in your hands. So it makes sense that when holding a 2h weapon or 1h weapon + a shield that one button is for attacking while the other is for blocking.

When dual wielding weapons though you'll be able to control the left weapon with your left mouse button and the right weapon with the right mouse button. So my guess is the simple clicks will both be used to attack. Perhaps they've added another button that takes care of the blocking.

It's also possible that when fighting enemies you'll have to aim + click at the right time to counter/dodge an attack when dual wielding. Slightly harder to defence than with a shield/2h weapon but it'll still work i suppose. My guess is that it'll be something like this.