When I play a character that uses shield/blocking, I mainly use it as a bash to interrupt, not a damage mitigating skill. I will confess that I have not played a character that has risen very far with blocking, but I have gotten into the 70's with quite a few perks. I may be wrong, but it just "seems" to me that the damage does not get deflected very well

There's a solution to that problem, and it only requires the application of sums of money. I decided long ago that the ability to play TES games with mods was worth that money.

Plus, it's not like a console and TV are free either. We spend money no matter what platform we play on.

yes ut does matter kuje so many others say

but you are playing on master difficulty which means you do more damage in real life with a toothprick than with your weapon in game and every lonely bandit can instant kill you with a plastic spoon

on that difficult level when playing the vanilla game just go for the biggest warhammer you can find and hope you hit first