I am quite new to the game and have been wondering about these questions:

Whether Wards are any good against melee at all?

also

Why do I get staggered when using the Ward vs Mages, is my ward not powerful enough or am I not getting it up in time? I just read something about breaking Wards, but only a reference to it.

Do Flesh spells protect against spells and melee equally?

If I have heavy/light armor and use a flesh spell, will the damage protection stack?

Also, for the Alteration tree, is it the casting of the spells that increase progression, or is it also the amount of damage absorbed by the Flesh spells too?

Thanks for any help/links.

1. Yes, but the inability to use one's sword melee weapon whilst casting it renders it pointless.

2. You're not doing it in time. If a fireball is already flying toward you when you raise the ward it staggers you. [censored] absurd, in my opinion.

3. Yes.

4. Yes. Right up until you hit the armour cap.

5. Both.