Is the effectiveness of a sword's blocking governed by anything in particular? Or is it just a static base percentage that never changes, regardless of the sword?

For example, do different types of swords tier or scale in terms of blocking ability, the way different shields do in terms of Armor Rating? A Steel Sword has a better blocking rating than an Iron Sword, etc..

Thanks in advance. I'm asking because a new character isn't using a shield for now, and I may consider just blocking with my swords for Roleplay and challenge reasons.

The block skill also affects how much damage is blocked by swords. Basically, the right tree of the block skill applies to all blocking, and the left is for shield use only. Even bashing with your sword works - though not as effective as with a shield imo.

I know the type of weapon is tiered Dagger is worse than Sword is worse than Greatsword, and the amount you block is tied to your Block skill, but I'm not sure if the material the weapon is made of comes into play.

Off topic: Is your avatar from Ghostbusters 2?

I would sink all 5 points into Shield Wall. It really helped my 2H warrior.

Lol. Yes it is. Vigo the Carpathian.

And thank you both for the quick responses!

Go dual wielding. BE the Cuisinart.

That made me laugh.

Oh, I will be experimenting with Dual Wield with this character. My Conan likes to smite his enemies with flair.

(And before anyone says it, I know that Conan did use shields. I'm just not playing him that way right now. I have a Sword and Board Khajiit Warrior already, and a Cleric that Maces, and, err, Boards...no, no, that doesn't sound as good... Maces and Braces, maybe?)

Does the shield bash stun just the same? And is the fully loaded shield wall effective at all?

I've wondered about this myself. The first point gives you a 20% increase, but the 2nd only gives you another 5%. So far I've thought it's a waste, given how scarce perk points become. I always find other places where I want them more.

Actually the 20/25/30/35/40 on the Shield Wall perk is a bug. The tool-tip for the perk says that but it is actually 10/20/30/40/50. So, each perk point spent is just a useful as the last.

Edit: here is the link for clarification... http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Block

I'm aware of this bug, but it's still rather useless, I only go for the first 10% increase, +10% isn't high enough to warrant a perk IMO.

Bashing with a weapon does more damage than shield. I'm not so sure about staggering, but I think staggering effect is same between two-handed weapons and shield.

But every perk gives you the exact same increase. If 10% isn't worth a perk, then you shouldn't even take the first one.

To unlock perks higher up in the tree.

Weather your weapon type and material has an impact is an interesting question, I'd like to know this as well. Also if tempering your weapons has an impact (e.g. a Legendary sword blocks more than a regular one)?

I'm not sure about the above statement in regards to weapon doing more bash damage than shields. Is that a fact?

Weapon type and material do not have impact on blocking, but have impact on bashing damage. Weapon tempering does not have impact on blocking or bashing damage.

Legendary sword does not block more than a regular one.

My source is The Complete Character Design Freedom thread, as usual. http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1342463-complete-character-design-freedom-damage-resist-caps-and-ridiculous-damage-thread-10/

Just to reemphasize: An iron dagger will be just as effective as a Legendary Daedric Warhammer for blocking. Weird in some ways. Makes sense in some ways.

Good post. I've been wanting to know all this, myself.