How do I go backwards without turning - without locking onto targets?

[John]

I hate locking on with a passion so I'd prefer to play this game without it, but going backwards while blocking makes my character turn, letting them hit around my block.

I'd prefer my character to face where my camera is facing at all times and walking sideways/backwards when I input a/d/s. Is there a mod for that, an ini edit, a setting I might have missed? Google searches came up relatively empty so far

[Zipper]

There's an unused camera mode that makes the character move as if he was locking even if he isn't, which is likely what you're aiming for. TYou'll need to enable the debug menus (read the wiki for how to). Once enabled, go play, then press F2 and you'll see a menu with a lot of power tools. Look for "Alternative cam" and tick that option.
Voila! Your character will always move looking at the front. It has its downsides though: you'll lose your free camera. But for the sake of fighting without locking, it'll be night and day. I still prefer to lock though.

[John]

That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks

[Zipper]

It really gives you more freedom in fights without the locking assistance. Did some tests yesterday after posting. It requires more skill yeah but it has potential to make you a better figher, especially in dodging and in reaction time.

[Rays of Apollo]

Maybe I've not fought any truly difficult enemies yet; the worst I've fought is that tall ♥♥♥♥♥♥ in the Chersonese bandit camp. And locking in and sprint bursting seems to be the best way to avoid things. Besides, isn't backpedaling ridiculously slow?

[John]

Yeah it's slow. But I genuinely don't know how to block anything in a real fight if my character turns away from the opponent if I try to reposition. I've tried to block against bandits for a solid 2 hours but my damn instinct has me move away from the attacker when I block to reduce the relative velocity of the strike (Thanks Warband, for ruining my muscle memory for every other game for eternity!)
So it's either putting the control scheme to this and backpedaling very slowly or unbinding the block key and playing exclusively with dodge rolls and strafing

[Rays of Apollo]

And sprinting. Sprinting for 0.5 sec is the superior form of dodging.