I do not know if this is a "hardware" issue or a game issue. I use a wireless mouse and wired keyboard. My batteries for the mouse are good.

Now, 2-handed weapons are not my favorite for one reason: s-u-p-e-r --- s-l-o-w. There is a tremendous lag between when I click my mouse and when I swing. Many times, my click does not even register and I have to cram the mouse again. I have yet to block the "thief" that assaults us on the road. They will ALWAYS get the first swing in.

This slowness is getting so bad that the "Sweep" perk and trying to hit a sideways move with multiple opponents is near impossible. By the time my swing registers, I am not facing the 9opponents anymore.

On the positive side, my heavy armor skill goes up regularly

Is this just me being a terrible player (highly possible), or is this a common factor for 2-Handed weapon players?

2 handed weapons are slow, but deal massive damage, and they look cool (in my opinion). Since I only play Nords, I find that two handed axes or hammers suit my characters well.

Since you use a wireless mouse, I would say that you have some form of input lag which is inevitable for wireless stuff.

If the clicks aren't registering or there's a genuine lag then it's a hardware issue. If you have everything working right then your mistake is playing sword-n-board style by blocking then countering, with 2 hands the best approach is to hit first and hard with a power attack to stagger them...you just have to learn the proper timing.

I had a problem with my clicks not registering every time, and it was caused by my graphics settings being too high.

To that I would add that the extra reach of the two-handed weapons are much more reliable as defense than blocking, for the most part. While harder to do against enemies with two-handed weapons, it can be a great advantage against anyone wielding a one-handed weapon. If you're careful and watches the distance, and time your power attacks well, you can avoid most(if not all) of the opponent's shield bashes and power attacks.

That is, if they have the chance to even get back up from a kneeling position after being hit by a power strike from a fully smithed and enchanted warhammer.

Two handed weapons are much more fun that double toothpicks or a toothpick and shield.

One thing about two handers that is counter intuitive is that they really work better with light armor and using dodging than in heavy armor. The old image of a knight with greatswords and flamberges makes people want to play them in adventure games. However, they generally used those on other heavily armored slow opponents which is not what you face in ES or adventure games generally. In reality two handed fighters in the middle ages were light armored, loosely spaced, warriors on the flanks of formations that used there speed and reach to flank and smash thru armor of heavily armored troops and knights. They used the greatswords in tournaments or occasionally in battle but only when it was advantageous, such swords were difficult to carry and deploy in battle especially when starting on horseback.

I suggest you try to get Steed stone or perk to remove encumbrance as long as u have something to deal with magic attacks. You can also remove armor when in mage battles if it is slowing you down as you really don't need it. I use the charge attack on bosses. Also the bit on timing is good. If something is coming at u work on timing your swing before they reach you. You can also try to swing, take a quick back pedal and swing again. Sometimes that move results in a backwards power attack which is often not a bad thing. Stamina is important for these characters, and you can hot key stamina potions to help.

The heavy armor perk reflect blows is beastly.

Light armor is nice and suits a nord well, though (what with the typical nord being a barbarian type, i.e. two handed, light armor, archery and sneak).