Currently playing a Rogue/Assassin character that does most of his work via dagger and bow+poisons, though I've recently begun using my Chillrend and I want him to also be a master swordsman when the situation calls for it, no shields, though. More or less an incredible duelist etc. Does investing perk points into the first perk in block increase the amount you block with a 1h?

Pretty sure yes. I wish you could block with one hand magic and the other with a 1h weapon.

That would be very nice, though I'm not often running around with a spell equipped other than Muffle, I do sometimes need to heal via Healing. Is this considered fail? I need more perks and most of my primary skills are expert level. Guess there's no shame in leveling a 2h for a little...right? right?? God I hate that.

They should at least give us a parry and/or dodge option, so that people with 2h or dual-wield classes could actually protect themselves. Also, it would be amazing to be a 1h using assassin who could dodge and attack if he was being attacked.

One of the loading screen tips said 1h blocking was more effective then 2h, so it should be pretty good.

That being said, the order of blocking effectiveness must be:
Shield - Best
1H - Good
2H - Fair

This is one of my biggest concerns as this kind of character. Since I'm in all Light Armor (I've invested in the proper perks, however) I take hits from Deathlords, Arch Wizards/Warlocks/Conjurors etc. like a [censored] and certain situations can be very chaotic if I don't approach it in complete stealth mode, which I did for most of the game but now I'm just dungeon diving for skill ups and playing it more like a swashbuckler. I'm curious how you're supposed to survive when all hell breaks loose as a sneak character. I just sprint towards the most dangerous target and hope for the best...

I would really love if they let you block while dual wielding a dagger and another one hand, ala ripostes and such. But as is dual wield does so much damage letting em block with two normal 1hs would be really silly XD

I only use all-stealth characters, and when all hell breaks loose, I try to run away as fast as I can, find a high point and crouch down. Usually by the time my stamina is depleted, I've gotten far enough away to become hidden again, and from my high-point I'm allowed to take a few shots at my enemies with my bow.

If I'm caught in a one-on-one battle, toe-to-toe, I just take quick swings at the enemy, making sure not to get caught off-guard so that I can block their attack and take two more quick shots at the enemy before he can react.

This works pretty well, but it would be so much more fun if you could dodge attacks and slice-and-dice those slower attackers.

Ah, true. I have sprinted away for cover quite a few times since the beginning. I typically only use sneak/assassin characters in these games (sniper in Fallout, rogue in Elder Scrolls) My favorite thing is getting into one-on-one swordfights with Bandit Marauders/Chiefs. The flurry of attacks you can unleash staggers them so badly that they have no chance. Teaching them a lesson is quite fun.

Yes, but they could make it so that you have a chance of being disarmed if you block while dual-wielding. Since only one hand would be supporting the weapon you block with, it would be plausible for you to drop the weapon after contact with your opponent's swing.

Or, they could just let you dodge, and you would dodge slower based on the weight of the weapons and apparel you have equipped. So if you're dual-wielding two swords, you would dodge slower than if you were dual-wielding two daggers, but both would dodge much slower than if you were just using one dagger and nothing in your off-hand.

Exactly.

However, I really hate how if you do a normal attack, but then immediately follow it with a power-attack, the power-attack happens lightning fast. Doing this is actually faster than if you only did the power-attack, basically making the power-attack (on it's own) completely illogical to use. I'm not sure if this was meant to be in the game, or if it's an exploit, but I can't help but use this over and over again.

have you tried to jump backwards or roll out of the way? I find that to be most effective against any enemy other then duel wielding Briar Hearts..They can be a little fast sometimes.

My tactic is hit with both daggers, jump back rince and repeat. If they're using a 2hand hit once roll.

How do you roll? Is there a way to do it? (Besides the sneak perk, of course)?

I was thinking this question too. I was thinking making an Assassin's Creed style character. I was thinking of a one-handed sword only, no shield and also a dagger. I wish there were crossbows and throwing knives but I guess I could always use a bow as well. But this isn't Assassin's Creed so I should hope for it to be the same hehe. I just think it would be awesome. Too bad running around in Assassin style robes with a single sword would be very ineffective, especially when I play on Master difficulty...

The lack of a parry or dodge for dual-wielders has become really annoying to me. I play on my Heavy Armored Paladin, using sword and board, and through the Quick Reflexes Block perk I can dodge power attacks with ease by going into bullet-time. Yet with my Assassin, who is in Light-Armor and dual-wielding, I have far more trouble dodging these since I can't use or get that Block perk.

That's just not right in my opinion, my Paladin in a suit of heavy armor should not be faster and more agile than my Assassin.

Viable, yes. Recommended, no.

Honestly, if you want to wield just a 1H you should grab a shield (or Resto ward at very least.) Shield is like another weapon if you perk for it. Plus you can get 50% reduction to frost, fire, and shock which is too good to pass up IMO.

You gave up a shield for more damage, now you complain you don't have enough defense... you can't give defensive perks like that to dual wield, it'd make 1h+shield entirely pointless. It'd be like asking for damage health spells in the alteration school, they don't belong there. Also people with 2H can still block if you hadn't noticed, I mean what are you expecting to parry and with what? There is no realistic way a 1 handed sword or a dagger could parry a warhammer and they'd have a hard time parrying a mace or an axe, the only thing you could really parry is another sword or dagger which would dramatically weaken swords...

as for a "dodge option", that's called you walking around. If you get enough sneak then you can get the roll perk, 10% evasion is the pinnacle of light armor.

I didn't "give up" a shield, the character I'm playing is an assassin, he happens to not have proficiency with shields. I played a 1h + shield on my last playthrough and it was actually really easy, I think even if Dual-Wield had a semi-reliable parry move or a dodge mechanic similar to Quick Reflexes, 1h + shield would still be superior. (And about damage spells in alteration, I was actually hoping we'd be able to move people with telekinesis to throw or push them around , but unfortunately it's just a minor spell to move small objects again.)

Now, a block with a dagger or a one-handed weapon wouldn't be as strong as a 2H or shield block, so have us time parries to block other light weapons and have larger weapons knock you back or go through the block at least partially. Parrying with a dagger actually had it's own fighting style after all, main-gauche, which uses the dagger primarily for defense against light weaponry. Would it be effective against a 2H weapon? No, but it shouldn't be, it should go right through and make you rethink your tactics for fighting against heavier weapons. But you would be able to parry some weapons, just not as well as you would have if you were a shield proficient character.

Maybe Deft movement (not liking the passive damage avoidance aspect though, not in an active form of combat) and the stealth roll help out some though, I'll keep at it and see for myself I guess.

Exactly.

And as I said in my post, if you are blocking/parrying with a dagger or sword, and your opponent is using a heavier/more powerful weapon (such as a war axe, mace, or any 2h weapon) you would have the chance to be DISARMED from the attack. How would that not balance it out? If you're toe-to-toe with a Battleaxe or Greatsword user, and you get disarmed, you're pretty much dead.

Just a suggestion.
Once in combat you're no longer stealth, correct? So, since you're dungeon diving, perhaps you may enjoy utilizing a torch.
A torch in your left hand can, indeed, be used to block.
Additionally and most importantly, bashing with a torch sets your opponent on fire, thus increasing the damage taken.
You're technically not using a shield but get the added ability to cause a fire-damaging bash.

I find blocking/bashing with a torch to be incredibly effective. You'd still be swashbuckling, but with the added...sorry for this...flare.
One option to consider.

I like it. And the pun was just the icing on the cake.

I think you sold me on your idea