I've been looking up information on how skills work with light/heavy armor as well as shields and I have a couple of quick questions.

Does shield type lvl up heavy or light armor or just block? I've seen some conflicting info on this.
If this is the case and shields only lvl block is there a reason to not use a heavy shield with is superior armor rating?

Also do shields affect your ablility to sneak? I've seen some info about this and I would think it does but again I'm not sure.


Basically I'm curious about the ability to mix light armor with a heavy shield and what I can get away with.

I'm no expert. . . I think that damage absorbed by your armor rating goes towards the armor skills you are wearing armor for.

I think your block skill only increases when you block.

Thus if you are wearing light armor with a heavy shield, I believe you would have the skill increases divided between the two skills (in the same way that sneak attacks and weapon skills level together). When you block, it goes towards block (and possibly heavy armor as well)

You only level up block with your shield. You can be wearing all light and use an Orcish shield but you'd never put xp into heavy.