As far as I can tell, the health meter decrease on my follower or enemies is no different when I use reg bash than when it is after adding power bash or deadly bash. Deadly bash appears to stagger them a little more, but also appears to cost more fatigue.

Also a lot of the comments on this forum and UESP regarding bashing appear flat out incorrect or misleading. Uesp states that Deadly Bash will kill bosses, which is absolutely incorrect. Perhaps they are referring to using it over and over while utilizing the Vege Soup method it mentions later. However, who really has an infinite supply of cabbage? it appears you need about 4 to 5 soups going constantly to keep your fatigue even close....

Basically I don't see any need to get power bash or deadly bash, but just keep using Quick Reflexes and regular bash which works the same. Please say it ain't so...

When I mastered block, it was like another weapon in my hands. The power bash does a good amount of damage (on master), and with the 'force within' effect enemies are staggered for a good few seconds, allowing me to hack them to pieces.

Is the amount of damage it does based on the percentage increase/perk level of the skill or the shield's AR value or what? Her block skill is only around 35 right now but i have all ranks I can get.

Oh and I am working at her with no shield, so also really wondering what the difference with or without shield. I tested it on another character that has 70's block powerbash and steel shield with about 70 AR value. I tried it on her with and without shield and couldn't tell a difference, but she is not mastered yet but does all ranks of block she can get.

Hmm, interesting question. I assume it's based on the block skill, and the block damage perks. I doubt it's based on the AR rating.

Don't bother taking the first perk more than once by the way, the initial +20% is great. But +5% is pathetic, not worth a perk, the same with sneak.

So yeah, it's definitely viable in terms of damage at high levels (on master).

IMO it's pretty powerful.
Dragon about to breathe fire on you? Bash...
Thief about to double stab you? Bash...
Redguard about to steal from you? Bash...

Subtle reference to real life stereotypes, nice one.

Oh I definitely love the bash but my point is that it is the same with reg bash as power bash. i still use the reg bash in those situations, except for the dragon breath one, didn't think that would work, so thanks for that one!

Well the power bash for me has a much stronger stagger effect on the enemy, some of them are staggered for a good 4-5 seconds?

Well that is better, so I will have to consider it....
Maybe I'll take it when i get there.

imho power/deadly bash is a waste of a perk. Damage is best left to a weapon. Shield is there to interrupt and stun. Unless bash damage influences stun duration or procrate. Does it?

Power bash causes a longer stagger, and can knock them over. I'm not sure what the damage is based on, but it is virtually a second weapon...it works very well with a bash-hack approach, particularly with draugr deathlords etc which are tough and cast magic.

It's very good with the Targe of the Blooded.

I like how you used Redguard lol

Yeah the thing is, with the power bash, if you get lucky it can literally throw them to the ground, And it usually staggers them for a good 3-5 seconds, which is much better than the regular bash.
Doesn't mean you should stop using the regular one though. Both have diferent uses