Of all the capstone features of a skill tree, I like the the Blocking perk the best. One, it allows you to sprint (yes, sprint at full speed) with your shield raised at no additional stamina cost. Most importantly though, it turns you into a living FUS RO DAH. Everyone you touch while blocking and sprinting goes FLYING, and can't attack, block, or move around while they're bodies are in ragdoll mode. Even better, unlike the dragonshout with a similar effect, you can use this repeatedly, and it only costs as much stamina as sprinting normally!

Of all my characters, I may have had the most fun with my light armor, 1-hander, shield wielder. Even before you get to toss people around like bowling pins, the blocking set is very fun and powerful. I strongly recommend investing in it.

Yes

Yep I've tried every combo except battlemage and 1h+shield was the most entertaining one.

My level 45 is a pure warrior and I'd have to agree, trucking enemies through with your shield raised is very satisfying

Curious--why invest in both block and light armor? I'm sure there are people who'd want to play that way, but it just makes no sense to me whatsoever. Shields are meant to absorb damage and supplement attack, whereas light armor is meant to keep you alive if you are struck in skirmishes; it's built for mobility, not damage absorption. These things seem so mutually exclusive in their intention and even in their function that I find it pointless, beyond the obvious completion of sets, that light armor even has shields.

I suppose I wonder why. I'm not trying to attack your playstyle, I'm merely flabbergasted; I must try it myself sometime. Please tell me all about what your playstyle is like.

I gotta get this...

Considering the final block perk uses sprinting, light armor has an advantage there with no need to waste perks in such junk as heavy does to match it.
Then considering both light and heavy can hit the armor cap anyway(can hit it w/out exploits even with just elven if you get 100 smithing+vendor/found potion), advantage to light again. And light's 10% dodge is > 10% reflect easily.
Heavy of course has an armor advantage early on, but not enough to make a huge difference. The main advantage heavy has is that the best weapons are daedric(heavy side of smithing tree), another early game advantage for melee in particular.

lvl 81 on block, after reading this just confirms what i thought now im rly getting this perk XD!!!!!!!

im also rocking heavy armor with Conditioning wootz

i cant wait to be a living fus ro DAAAAAAAA!!

I like the 100 skill Heavy Armor perk that reflects damage.

I just let people hit me while I also wear Ebony Mail and they just kill themselves. MUAHAHA!

Do you have to have a shield? Or can you also do it using your weapon as a shield, like a twohanded warhammer or something?

I won't argue over which tree is better--I have different preferences depending on my build--it just seems odd to me, since shields are for soaking damage and opening up for counter attacks (the latter of which I suppose would help a light build), and it so very well compliments heavy armor's focus on tanking and stagger absorption. Also, 10% reflect > 10% dodge: that's a 10% chance to reflect all damage from a single strike, and, as I understand it, not take damage from that strike--essentially a dodge/counterattack. If I'm wrong, however, and the PC retains all the damage of a reflect while also reflecting it, then perhaps YMMV; whether dodging an attack outright is worth more than taking the hit and giving it back depends on the player.

Anyway, I find this very interesting. Such a build sounds nice at higher levels, but what about getting there? You're still soaking up damage with an armor type that's not built for durability (and I realize all armors can reach the cap, but I was/am not considering that).

What I don't like about blocking is you don't get any experience in Light or Heavy armor skills. But yeah, blocking in itself is great.

requires a shield

/agree depends on the class/type/kind of toon u are using i like my tower of strength not sure if ill get reflect blows but it sure sound fun

Really?! Does that mean that I can make a light armor character who uses a heavy shield just as effectively, or vice-versa? Speaking of which, since shields fall under apparel, does anyone know whether they affect the full set and matching set perks (the two 25% bonuses each tree has)?


What does? About half the tree (the entire right side and the center perk, but not the top) can be used with weapons.

Is the effect massively increased if you do a Whirlwind Sprint while blocking? like do them get super sheild bashed?

rly shield charge can be use without a shield? weird but cool

Yes, as far as I can tell, as long as you can block, you can just as well go around naked. I have to test this of course. What I did was I came upon this thief who wanted to sell me Moon sugar. I declined and he attacked. I kept blocking him for a VERY long time skilling maybe 10 ranks in block, and gained no ranks in armor skill. What I need to find out myself though is this, if your total armor points count towards the block, or if the block only counts shield armor.

Is it possible to do without a shield? (a one-handed weapon only, or a two-hander etc). Because normal push is possible. I have no idea if the damage bonus and chance to disarm are still present, but if they are, a two-handed build does get good addition from the block tree. (unless it's shield only)

the dmg bonus and disarm work with weapons

You cannot shout and block, so no, sorry.


Incorrect. You may worship whatever gods you want, but Talos wa--I mean, I said that the entire right side of the tree and center perk work without a shield, but the left and top--that is, shield charge--only work with shields.


Experiment away

Blocking is the most enjoyable combat mechanic in this game, by far. Making a heavy Cathay-Raht Khajiit warrior now and it feels great.

Really? Hmm, now waiting for OP to test the 100-level perk without a shield.

nvm, seems someone confirmed it's not possible? Aws.

then i was right too and i read ur post wrong hahaha sorry >