so tried my skyrim for few hours with my nord warrior wielding 1h sword and shield, and blocking with my shield is so far mediocre at best.

I mean I do notice some damage reduction when I have my shield up, but I just can't feel that I actually blocked. Not much difference in enemy's movement or reaction. They just attack and I just defend...that's it. Enemies don't stagger when their blow is blocked, I don't stagger when I block a power attack like in Oblivion;;

To be just there does exist some staggering when I land in power attack at enemy not blocking. If this was also out I would've said skyrim melee fight is clearly worse than oblivion. Nevertheless I really liked how characters reacted to blocks and blocked attack. Many people criticized that all we do in oblivion melee was maintain block until enemy attacks so when enemy staggers players can land series of attacks unimpeded. Now this is GONE. Shield bash is cool, and it clearly delivers staggering. One could say in skyrim shield bash staggers enemy not mere block. But no reaction whatsoever when an attack is blocked is sheer FAIL to me.

Naturally I'm already losing interest in my sheer warrior style nord. Magic systen is overhauled and looks interesting just to see my enemies use them I don't think I'll play sword and board style as much as I did in previous series.

you have to block right when they are about to hit you and it staggers then atleast in my experience and also doing a heavy shield bash staggers them. Plus level up your shield skill for better blocking to take less damage...

Seems fine to me. My character is mainly a sword & shield dude, and the blocking seems to be better than in Oblivion. Having to shield bash to stagger is more realistic and satisfying.

'Cause people don't bounce back and let you stab them repeatedly after they hit a shield in real life.

timed block is IN? I thought it was first rumoured to be in but later confirmed out