Just as the title asks: if a shield has armor rating of say 50 and I have it equipped but don't block (just swing my one-hander) will its 50 rating still be added into my overall armor/damage resistance?

Why would it?

What would be the point of blocking if that were true?

yes. whether you actively block with it or not, there's still a big hunk of metal between you and whatever is trying to kill you, whether its protecting your side or back or legs or chest. if its not on the ground its gonna be in blocking something. Actively blocking just reduces the damage even more.
http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Armor

Because while your armor rating reduces damage, actively blocking completely protects you from taking damage from that blow.

To those who understand the question and knew actual real informatin: THANK YOU!

To the 1st 2 posters - if you don't know what you are talking about - why post at all?

Guess you think armor on boots is only good if you jump kick to block too.

This is making me wish there were localized damage again...

'Cause post count/stupidity/attention seeking.

Blocking reduces a certain percent of damage. This has nothing to do with shield armor rating. The amount blocked has everything to do with skill level and perk choice, not armor rating on said shield.

The armor armor rating on a shield is added to your cumulative armor rating, or "overall" armor rating, and that rating mitigates damage in combat regardless if your shield is raised or not.

Because I was asking a legitimate question. I haven't done Block.

*glues shields to every armour slot*

INVINCIBLE!!!

I answered your question in the post above the one I am quoting.

Ah. I think he was taking your response as sarcasm. I gotta admit that's how it struck me as well.

It does come off like sarcasm, but on behalf of the others i apologize for any offense, text is such an crude form of communication, unable to communicate the nuances of the spoken word.

And that is my civilized post of the week. That'll be all.

Well, I tend to spew sarcasm at times myself. Directed at excessive Morrowind Acolytes on occasion.

But it's all good. I don't blame anybody for sarcasm, I was just pointing out where the miscommunication might have started.

This post is correct. The things that affect your active blocking damage resistance are: Type of shield material (Daedric is better than Iron), Blocking skill, how many perks you have in Shield Wall, and any Fortify Blocking enchants you have on your gear. You can also get temporary bonuses from potions and/or the Blessing of Stendarr. Note that the Shield Wall perks operate exactly like +10% Fortify Block enchantments, i.e., if you have 3 ranks of Shield Wall, this will behave like a +30% Fortify Blocking. The description for the perk in-game is incorrect, and this has been verified through playtesting.

-Loth

Thanks for the replies.

I love you all.

I had to say that... I don't want to shield anyone from the truth, or block the good feelings of this forum, so I hope my love perks you up.