All I can say is, if you compare Dishonored's combat with Skyrim, you've either not played Skyrim properly, Dishonored properly OR you're seriously bad at comparing. Skyrim's combat was just.. Uncivilized, it was barbaric simplicity at best to describe it. We can SEE for ourselves through several gameplays of Dishonored it looks smooth, elegant and almost charming in its positive simplicity, it doesnt look anything like it really.
I am not saying you haven't played the game, just that the comparison there is way off.
I mean the fighting reminds of Skyrim, first person, counter, sword in one hand and powers in the other. Seems pretty similar. I only played Skyrim for couple hours. I do like the combat alot better in this game. In Skyrim from what i rememeber it was like one hit at a time. This game you can press R1 bunch of times in a row and keep hitting them. Plus the sneaking up kills are pretty sick to.