Ok, directional combat has been confirmed, it will work the same as it did in oblivion by using your powerful strike with wasd or anologue. but there is something i have always wanted included in the combat mechanics and that is a secondary or alternative attack for an individual weapon type. say if your holding a staff, and the basic attack is the spell like it was in oblivion, it has a primary function and its fairly lethal, however it is completely ignoring the staff itself as a blunt weapon. or the pommel of a short blade for the same purpose. this alternative move could allow for you to use the weapon long after its lost its charge [or its edge] and still retain its function as your primary [or only] weapon. i dont know how useful this would be but im all for a more complex combat system.

[purely food for thought, not saying this is or should be in skyrim, just want to see how people react to this idea in general for future reference. because we all know that even skyrim will have a combat mod]

and im back, nice to see you all again

I found it irritating that you couldn't use a staff as a melee weapon. So I agree with you there.

As for alternate attacks with a melee weapon, I found it to be redundant in morrowind. ( there were two or three different attack modes. )

I seldom use melee attacks when I'm playing Oblivion since I favor magic or the bow over other attack forms.

Skyrim might make it difficult for me to use a bow exclusively due to the slower attack speed, and the reduced backward movement speed. I'm also a little disappointed that I won't be able to block attacks with the bow anymore.