First off, i've played TES games for years and have never ever played a hack n slash type character, so this play style is kinda new to me.

My character is gonna be a female Breton ( i haven't ever used a Breton or Female character and it's something different for me), because i want the extra magic immunity from the off. I plan on using a shield and obviously a 1-hand weapon in the other hand.

My main question is, what are the recommended 1-handed perks and block perks? The reason for asking is i usually play an archer and i know the majority of archery perks are next to useless. Is it safe to assume it's the same with sword perks? Also, is having a shield at the expense of a 2nd weapon a bad move?

Heavy armour isn't an issue as the perks look more or less the same as their light armour equivalents, so no problems there.

Here's some reading for playing styles: http://www.gamesas.com/topic/1416795-a-review-of-effective-playing-styles/

But to make it short: Sword&Shield Warriors are easy to build and play. Go with the flow.

If however you want to powerlevel certain skills, then be a bit more mindful about which perks to take.
Especially Quick Reflexes from the Block tree. Awesome and useful, but it you want to powerlevel Block then don't take it, because it will slow you actually down. Easiest way to powerlevel Block? Get good armor, a good shield, healing spells and potions, and a lone giant. avoid the power attacks and let him punch your shield.

Disarming Bash is pretty useless, but the other bash perks allow you to stun-lock and kill even dragons ... if you have vegetable soup (no kidding).
Also you want the whole left side of the Block tree.

One-Handed perks: If you want to specialize in one weapon type or not is up to you. None of the specialization perks are too great for various reasons, so you might neglect them in favor of other perks. You pick all the damage perks, of course. Power attacks are nice, although an argument can be made for simply hitting fast. I recommend taking them for fun's sake.

Smithing: Up to dragonbone on either the left or right branch, depending on whether you want light or heavy armor.

Enchanting: Powerful. Most useful are skill enchantments, so consider taking just the middle branch to the top.

Armor: Light or Heavy - your preference. You can reach the armor cap with both armor types just through maxing smithing. Utility perks are more useful in the end than armor bonus perks.

Restoration: always useful. Adept + Regeneration should suffice, though.


But to make a long story short: For an easy time grab a giant and powerlevel Block to 100. Then run everything over with shield charge and stab whatever is lying on the floor.