Reflect arrows is NOT bugged The arrows bounce off you shield --> arrows must hit your shield. So a big shield helps.

I've had a lot of fun playing an illusionist/alteration swordsman at master, using frenzy to cause infighting in a group of foes and attacking into the fray, using calm to force an enemy to drop his guard before running him through, fear-ing away extras when I'm overwhelmed plus of fus-ro-da to knock down foes allowing me to knock them off ledges or force an opening so I can leap into the fray.

All the while only wearing cloth armour and no shield. "Elegant an intelligent swordsmanship"

I believe he's referring to how deflect arrows pretty much renders any points you put into block itself a waste.

I've beaten the main and Companions' questlines as a Heavy/1H/Block/Restoration character on Master. I used no followers/summons, and never really struggled. Focus only on damage and defense, when taking perks, and just in general. On top of that, try to specialize in a single form of each when they do not complement each other (e.g. block+heavy stack, heavy+light do not). Alternative skills will just inflate your level and make your enemies far tougher. This is why I never used sneak mode, never tried to soften up enemies with archery, stuff like that. Smithing is probably the easiest way to keep yourself powerful. However, it's best done in bursts so you can get that next armor type and reap the large benefit without the intermediate part where you've leveled but gained little in combat efficiency. Also, Skyforge weapons will either outclass or nearly match every other weapon you find, so try to get those quickly (clear Dustman's Cairn to unlock them).