Hi. In Oblivion the sword+shield combat was something I understood quite well, but in Skyrim I never used it much and don't get the rhythm yet. What is the best way to block the enemy's blows and hit them when they're staggered? In Oblivion you just raised your shield whenever they attacked but in Skyrim it almost feels as if it takes longer for you to raise your shield, and since the enemies don't stagger after hitting your shield, the second you stop blocking they'll hit you...it seems like either you're blocking or hitting, but while you're hitting your body is exposed so they hit you as well...

Any tips from people who've mastered sword and shield combat?

You'll probably need to use bash quite a bit.

Bash just before they attack. Use a couple of light attacks while they recover, and save the power attacks for when they are blocking, are about to attack you or you are recoiled by hitting them while they block or they shield-bash.

I found the opposite to be true, blocking in Oblivion seemed to be clunky and slow compared to Skyrim. Hmmm.

Anyway yes, the suggestions above are excellent. use your shield to bash then attack while they are staggered.

What they said. The Skyrim rhythm is block-bash-hit. You have to keep a close eye on your stamina, too. Bashing will use it up quickly, leaving you vulnerable (a mid-level bandit chief can literally pound you to death while you're blocking unless your block skill is very high). Low-level draugr are the best to practice on until you get a feel for it.

The Unrelenting Force shout is also good for staggering an enemy that won't stop hitting you. You only need 1 word of it.

You only need one point of stamina to either bash or do a power attack. That translates into one bash or PA every 4 seconds.

Using enchanted weapons with absorb stamina will grant an unlimited means of PAing. While overpowered, the use of soups and stews will allow a continuous ability to bash for 12 minutes.

The blocking perks are some of the most fun in the game. You can slow time, when an enemy does a power attack. This allows you to run around behind them and strike as the slow time effect runs out. Enemies that dual wield will allow for a very long slow time sequence as it lasts through 3 swings.

The charge perk is hilarious, as it sends enemies flying.

Oh yes, nearly forgot about quick reflexes. That perk is incredibly strong as you can sidestep attacks and save the stamina you would've used for bashing to whack them with your 1 handed weapon

thanks for the responses. I tried this on a few spawned enemies, and sure enough bash seems to be the way. I guess if you don't bash they just hit you right away. So it's basically like the Oblivion system but you have to force the enemies to recoil and it uses up stamina. And I shouldn't just throw out power attacks all the time I guess unless they're blocking. Ignoring stamina is suddenly seeming like a very bad idea XD

Block, Bash, Hit works well. I would also take the Quick Reflexes perk. The Nine know how many times it has saved my life.

Not necessarily. In fact you really don't need to invest in stamina. I have yet to spend a single level in it across 37 characters. Not that I use soups on a regular basis either. Truth is... while I do carry a few on my character, they rarely get used if ever, during a typical Sword and Board playthrough.

You begin with a generous limit of 300 carry weight. I don't need to sprint for more than a few yards at a time. And like I stated earlier... You can bash or PA once every 4 seconds, without using any enchantments, soups or potions.

I also agree that investing in stamina is not necessary. In fact, putting all your points into health will make for a more powerful character. All you need is a small absorb stamina enchant on your weapon and you can bash/power attack endlessly. Alternatively you can just wait for stam to regen while blocking or dodging. Rank 1 unrelenting force is a good 'bonus stagger' to use when you are out of stamina

I completely agree. Health is, by far, a better investment than Stamina.