Analyzing Block Perks

[Akiraka]

Has anyone looked at what the Block Perks actually do (does "x% more effective" mean x% damage reduction, x% fewer Fatigue to use? Both?), and whether or not the Perks that don't specify a shield (i.e. Power Bash) actually work with a weapon/ torch?

[Evil-i]

From the UESP Skyrim Wiki:
"Block allows you to reduce damage from melee and ranged combat, using a shield or weapons. As perks are gained, block allows you to do damage with your shield, or disarm your opponent."

Fatigue reduction isn't mentioned anywhere, but with the game so new to us, that isn't conclusive. Also, on the Wiki Block page, if you hover over the stars in the Block Perk Tree constellation picture, they'll have info pop-ups. Some of the pop-ups have a bit more info than what the Perk table gives.

[Akiraka]

You must still think I'm new here lol. I read all of that. The roll-overs on the UESP don't say anything the game itself doesn't.

"More effective", okay. But, effective how? I suppose conventional logic would make one assume in damage reduction, but if that's the case, why not just say "Blocking now reduces x% more damage", like the enchanted shields do?

More, "Chance to disarm when Power Bashing" doesn't say whether or not it works with a shield only. My question is 'do such Perks work with a weapon?'

[Evil-i]

You must still think I'm new here lol. I read all of that. The roll-overs on the UESP don't say anything the game itself doesn't.

"More effective", okay. But, effective how? I suppose conventional logic would make one assume in damage reduction, but if that's the case, why not just say "Blocking now reduces x% more damage", like the enchanted shields do?

More, "Chance to disarm when Power Bashing" doesn't say whether or not it works with a shield only. My question is 'do such Perks work with a weapon?'

Answers are for the benefit of the entire forum, not just the OP. I'm sure there many people out there who are harbouring the same or very similar questions, and who are a lot newer than you and are unfamiliar with the Wiki.

The game has only been out a few days, everyone is really in the same boat when it comes to game info. At this point, your best answers will come from yourself by earning the Block Perks you're interested in and seeing how they work in-game.

[scribbane]

Guys, calm down. If you can't answer the question, don't antagonize. Also no need for the sarcasm. If someone knows the answer to the question, they will be along to answer it. Meanwhile, just sit tight, and cool off.

[Narzul]

Only works with a shield. It's in the name. Shield Bash.

[OblivionDuruza]

Well I was just mega ninja'd by Scrib and Narzul I would not use the Wiki as a primary source of info at this time. It simply isn't ready. If you are simply going to post to head over to the wiki, it might just be best to wait for someone with in-game experience to come on over. No offence, but the Wiki is far from working order.

@Narzul: Is that a known fact or inference?

[Narzul]

Well I was just mega ninja'd by Scrib and Narzul I would not use the Wiki as a primary source of info at this time. It simply isn't ready. If you are simply going to post to head over to the wiki, it might just be best to wait for someone with in-game experience to come on over. No offence, but the Wiki is far from working order.

@Narzul: Is that a known fact or inference?

Friend of mine has the perk and says it works with shields only. Apparently it's powerful too. In his words, "I can now kill things with my shield too".

[scribbane]

Yes, I can confirm that shield bash is a HELL of a lot of fun haha. But I can't confirm whether the block perks only apply for shields. My guess would be if it has shield in the perk name or description, you need a shield. If it just says block, any weapon would do. Again that is just a guess tho, since I don't block with anything but my shield.

[Will Zurmacht]

Bashing and powerbashing works with two-handers and lone one-handers. Tried it with a battleaxe, sword, and dagger. With the battleaxe, the character lashes out with the haft for a bash; with a dagger or sword, the character punches from the blocking position.

Edit: Also, bashing and powerbashing works with torches, and sets the target alight. The melee attack with a bow also appears to be a bash, since it costs standard bash stamina, cannot be used when all stamina is drained, and staggers the opponent. One cannot powerbash with bows (it plays a standard bash animation immediately). The perk Deadly Bash boosts the bash damage of all the above mentioned weapons (and torches).

I also noticed that bash damage differed among weapons (was testing two different bows), as did bash damage with a shield and a two-hander (the two-hander bash did more, knocking the bandit up into the air like a giant's attack sometimes does). So, bash damage might be dependent on qualities of the item used.

[Akiraka]

Bashing and powerbashing works with two-handers and lone one-handers. Tried it with a battleaxe, sword, and dagger. With the battleaxe, the character lashes out with the haft for a bash; with a dagger or sword, the character punches from the blocking position.

Edit: Also, bashing and powerbashing works with torches, and sets the target alight. The melee attack with a bow also appears to be a bash, since it costs standard bash stamina, cannot be used when all stamina is drained, and staggers the opponent. One cannot powerbash with bows (it plays a standard bash animation immediately). The perk Deadly Bash boosts the bash damage of all the above mentioned weapons (and torches).

I also noticed that bash damage differed among weapons (was testing two different bows), as did bash damage with a shield and a two-hander (the two-hander bash did more, knocking the bandit up into the air like a giant's attack sometimes does). So, bash damage might be dependent on qualities of the item used.

Ah, thank you very much sir! And, welcome to the forum

Two-handed weapons definitely aren't undercut in Skyrim, love it.