No Roll or way to block?

[............123]

How am I meant to even survive? I can't use my axe to block and I can't roll? Am I missing something.

[Handbanana]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEsQzKe1kb4

[SemperFrag]

You have to use footwork and land headers when they swing. Just accept that you are going to take damage, but you deal a heck of a lot more.

[Frikcha]

turn your camera 180 and walk away most of the time, otherwise you can jump low attacks, duck enemies that swing for your head and sidestep thrusts

rogue has a backflip ability that can work great against some PVE and a handful of PVP situations if you become very good at using it

[Randomthug]

Weight also plays a heavy roll. Hitting X will sheath whatever your holding and give you speed. I've dumped plate gear to gain speed before, had a lot of gems on me.