I don't want to sound like a Negative Nancy here, but I have been asking myself lately, how is combat really "improved"? We've heard a lot about this through different sources but when it comes down to it, the combat in Skyrim looks pretty much identical to that of Oblivion. What's worse is that if you dual wield or just us a one-handed weapon with a spell in the other hand you can't block at all. That lends itself to simple button mashing (or trigger pulling, in this case). Correct me if I'm wrong and please point out anything I'm missing but combat seems relatively unchanged from Oblivion. Either way, I'm stoked about this game and can't wait for November 11 to roll around.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1229863-suggestions-for-combat-gameplay/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1233984-skyrim-combat-mechanics-discussion-dark-messiah-mount-and-blade/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1235163-combat-do-you-want-to-tweak-it/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1235761-skyrim-combat-does-it-deliver-thudimpact-feeling/

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1237448-bgs-drop-the-ball-on-melee-combat/

I some what agree with you, but we wont know exactly if it's an improvement till the game comes out.

Well Nancy, Ii think we should play first. Not many previewers complained about the combat (and by not many i mean i have not seen one)

From the previews, the "feel" of combat is improved. As for actual new mechanics? We'll have to wait and see.

It is improved, because in previous games, you had to unequip shields and weapons altogether, in order to cast a spell. Now you can have a spell ready to cast while swinging your sword, or using your shield. You can also use two different spells at once, or combine the same one in each hand for greater effect, etc, etc, etc.

Beyond that, I cannot offer definitive answers about pure melee combat; mostly because I haven't played the game yet. The spell information alone proves that combat has been improved. The melee just introduces dual wielding and miscellaneous perks. You will just have to wait until 11.11.11 for more concrete evidence of improvement.

According to the (shhh) game manual, the sheild bash is destined to be everyones favorite combat option.

Morrowind is not the plural "previous games". :huh:

Arena, Daggerfall, and Oblivion all allowed spellcasting with weapons equipped and unsheathed.

While I do enjoy a good combat system and would love for Skyrim to have a great comant system for some reason I just don't care if it's the same hack and slash style as Oblivion.

Though I do appreciate the improved stealth system, even though I usually play a warrior character.

i hope for a more real feel, my hammer smashing into an enemy, or my sword barely struggling to go threw my enemies neck, that slight little jerk in your swing. I am pretty sure it has been improved if they are going for a conan feel as Todd himself stated they would look at combat my friend and just because it takes place in first person, which is a hallmark of the tes, with the option of playing it in third person, again i think they looked at both. No worry my friendi think were good.

Wait and see, that is the plan

Yes, really. Do some searching on the topic, there are plenty of threads about it.

HOW?!

I don't play ES games for the combat - for me it is about exploration and open sandbox play.

i think i heard somewhere that weapons can clash together, theres ur dual wield block.
also think... heavy attack animation that doesn't look [censored] (is all i'm hoping for)