I think I've noticed a flaw with the new blocking mechanic for Skyrim. Todd said that you can no longer freely hold the block button, otherwise you'd execute a 'bash' type of move, right? Obviously this was implemented to give combat more realism because this time the player will need to time their blocks and bash the opponent's defense appropriately. But this is where the flaw is.

Let's say holding the block button for longer than two seconds will activate the bashing animation... what's stopping the player from holding the block button for two seconds, releasing the button momentarily, then holding the button for two seconds again?

Unless fatigue drops whilst blocking (which makes NO sense by the way, if that's the case, then realistically (which is clearly the design of mechanic of Skyrim) walking, running, jumping, swimming, mining, smithing, farming, etc will also need to drain fatigue) it won't work.

Isn't it a LITTLE too soon to find "exploits" in a game you never ever played and where you only got very limited info on?

They have worked on the game for years.....i think they know what they are doing :thumbsup:

put a cooldown on block

Any number of things.

Namely, having the timer for when you can bash again only reset once the bashing animation is done. Then also having there only be a brief time that the bash animation will connect on the opponent, meaning if it misses for whatever reason, you are left open to attack while the animation is finishing.

if it's anything like oblivion it takes a little time to bring your shield down and then back up

I dont think thats a flaw or exploit at all. In real life you can hide behind your shield as much as you want for as long as you want. Why should it be different in skyrim?

This^

Your definitely speculating a bit much seeing as we haven't gotten much confirmed info on blocking, nor have we seen legit gameplay evidence to be able to make any judgements. Relax, let BGS work their magic, and if this exploit is in game come release, just try to refrain from doing it.

well it will be different its already been said

also in real life
1. if the shield is small you have to move it around because it wont cover the whole body
2. if its big, constantly holding it up would tire you really fast

in skyrim you probably wont have the ability to pull an attack that could bypass a small shield (even though you could do it in real life) so this is an alternative, not very real but still makes a fight more challenging

If you let go of the block button right before the shield bash takes effect (i think this is what you're trying to say) then i think they'll have a little half a second to a second animation that will have you put the shield down before you can put it back up to block again, regardless of how fast you let go of the button and push it again, making it so they have that small amount of time to attack you in between blocks. If you have played condemned 1 or 2, they sort of have the same system going on, where you have to block at the right time otherwise your block svcks, but if you let go of the block for a sec to hit it again so its timed right, the enemy had a small window of opportunity to attack. I think they'll sort of do the same with with skyrim and make it so you cant exploit the block by letting go and blocking before you shield bash.

Perhaps I am overlooking it, or too early to say, but I went off what Todd said himself and so far that's the only official confirmation of this new system. There will probably be a cool-down feature like what somebody said here, maybe.

Pretty much this. You have basically 0 info on the mechanics of it, you have only a brief, half-assed, vague description, I don't see how you can make any conclusions about it.

He's talking about spamming block not shield bashing.

Seriously? That really svcks...why not just make it a double tap? I love holding down my block button to defend against things like arrows, spells (yeah i know, its all in my head) and it just looks cool to "keep your guard up" as you go through a dungeon. I hope the key is configurable at least..

it's one thing to guide players into a fighting style that is more active and unpredictable, but making a feature that is as simple as blocking a misery to use, is just a bad idea.

get FF14 and play as a gladiator. you'll know what i mean when an attempt at challenge turns to misery. a game is still supposed to be fun. if character controls become the challenge instead of AI compensating for it... well, that's not much better either. I liked oblivion's blicking system, they should just have added a number of blokc counter moves to keep it active IMO.

I assume you are referring to what he said in some of the foreign mags.. Well, in a more recent interview he has stated that shield bash is done like so:

*for instance* You hold the left trigger to bring up your shield, then if you want to shield bash you pull the right trigger.

You now see why they are not giving us a lot of information. Systems go through hundreds of changes are variants while a game is in development. As Pete has said they don't want to tell us okay this is how it is, when it's most likely going to be different next week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Xn0GbweAE

The exact quote:
"Basic melee you can put a shield in your left hand, a sword in your right hand. And then the triggers or the mouse works that. And we try to make it very tactile. Whereas if you hold this one and press this one it does this move. You can actually bash with the shield by pulling it up then pressing the right trigger [...]"
- Todd Howard

I was about to say something sounded wrong here. Could've sworn that the bash was done by attacking while your shield is raised.

I'm just glad someone saved me the trouble of looking that up.

Well... it can't be any worse than oblivion can it?

What about my dual wielding shields? They better not take that out.

this

Wrong, in real life you can hide behind your shield as long your strenght permit if the shield is the like if what we see in the trailer.
Shield in guard position drain stamina, unless the shield is reposing on the ground.

If you don t believe me, just take a 2kg weight (shield are heavyer) and put yourself in high defensive position then tell me how much time you can hold.

Even better extend your arm without anythything at 45 degree up from your shoulder and see how much minutes you can get without lowering them.

I hope I can still block while dual-wielding. Although, it wouldn't really be "true" blocking, more like parrying.

Maybe Blocking with a shield will provide 70%~ damage reduction, but Parrying with weapons could only provide 30%~ damage reduction?

What he said.