Sword and shield viable?

[Octoknight]

Well everytime I try to use a sword/mace/ect. and shield I find that blocking really seems to be worthless. I could have a healing spell on the other hand instead of a shield and get better results or even a destruction spell or just another weapon. Why would I ever use a shield?

[Samyaza Bayangan (Ace V.)]

shields? didn't knew we could use them LOL. No jk, i never use a shield XD

[gnewna]

Depends on what suits you, really. I can never get the hang of using a healing spell while I'm fighting (in Skyrim), it just feels weird and clumsy, whereas using a shield works pretty well for me. On the other hand, in Oblivion, I usually have my healing spell out during a fight, because I can use it while dodging away, but still have a shield in my left hand.

[Fayde]

Enjoys shields.
Good close-combat defensive-offensive protection-weapon
...and that's why :)

[chibilibi]

I suggest getting Duel Combat Realism and use SkyTweak to set damage taken to be 1.5 and damage done to be 1.0.

Then tell me blocking is worthless.

[Fayde]

Deja Vu

[Link-X-Malon]

Obviously someone hasn't played Zelda.

[Samyaza Bayangan (Ace V.)]

Originally posted by fiercedeity9000:

Obviously someone hasn't played Zelda.

neither did I XD

[Fayde]

Originally posted by fiercedeity9000:

Obviously someone hasn't played Zelda.

Wasn't that the sick sister in Pet Sematary?

[Octoknight]

Well I just feel like the melee combat in this game is a little clunky and kind of...slow. And the shield seems to be the worst...

[Skyrimnut]

Nah, shields are great and once you perk into the tree a bit, they can be stupid OP. I like me a traditional sword and board build. IMO, with any sort of combat AI mod, shields become more important. I play on PC with a controller, so I get smoother action on my end with regard to combat.

Shield bashing a dragon is priceless.

[Fayde]

I'm getting better at using it both defensively and offensively... It's practice, and skillbuilding I guess - same as with everything else in this (awesome) game

[jnighty8]

I never used to use shields ether like you I just found it better to have a spell instead but Ive been useing them alot more latly mainly because sheild bash is insainly useful.

[Ilja]

Shield bash is the most useful thing that you can have in a dragon fight.¨

As it happens, a stronger ward spell from restoration school is another insanely useful thing in any dragon fight.

Whenever I play a magic wielding character, I will always have a shield in left hand and ward in right, if dragon gets too close. My follower can beat the lizard, while I bash it from biting and block breath attacks with ward. Breath is actually not a solid attack, but a combination of smaller magical attacks, so higher level wards will block at least most of it.

[Landstander]

sheild bash stuns everything even dragons..so def worth it

[Praxius]

Almost all my characters since getting Skyrim were assassins with dual daggers or dual swords.

I just started playing again after a break and decided to go for a heavy armour sword / shield guy.

Though getting into the show Vikings might have something to do with that :P

Perk the shield up and it's very effective.