I, for one, find bashing to be an invaluable part of effective combat. (Since an opponent hitting your shield doesn't stagger him anymore.) Also, it is very useful when using bows to open distance. (Which would otherwise result in being power attacked.)

Same here. When I play a shield wielding character, I love bashing the opponents' power attacks. The funny thing is I am not very patient, so when I face off against another shield wielding opponent, we tend to dance a bit with shields up for blocks. I am almost always the first to attack

Quite often. I've also had mages who used shields. Works very well.

I recently reloaded My "Master of Arms" character that has 100 in Block. I remembered why I quit playing Sword and Board characters after knocking everything in a large Forsworn Camp off the side of a Mountain, claimed Red Eagles Bane, and a Piece of Mehrunes Razor from another large Forsworn Camp.

My mystic archer only uses magic and bows (no melee weapons) and finds bow bashing on occasion to be helpful. Gives her a second to get off an arrow or change to spells.

Interesting, I almost always wait to counter.

I will bash if I haved used my stamina for power attacks.