Block Skill

Block
Specialisation	Combat
Perks	9
Perk Points To Fill	13
Governing Stone	The Warrior Stone
Works With	Shield, weapon, torch

Block governs how much damage you avoid by putting something between yourself and an attack in Skyrim. It is not a shield-only skill: a torch, a one-handed weapon and a two-handed weapon all block.

Shield Versus Weapon

A shield blocks more than a weapon does, but the skill and its perks apply to both. A two-handed character who never carries a shield still benefits from every rank of Shield Wall.

Bashing Is Half The Tree

Four of the nine perks concern bashing rather than blocking: Power Bash, Deadly Bash, Disarming Bash and Shield Charge. Together they turn the block button from a defensive move into an opener, with Disarming Bash removing an opponent's weapon outright.

Elemental Protection and Deflect Arrows cover the two attacks blocking would otherwise handle poorly, dragon breath and archers.

Requirements

The perks apply to all four.

Held item	Note
Shield	Highest damage reduction
One-handed weapon	Lower, but always available
Two-handed weapon	Lower, benefits from the same perks
Torch	Blocks, and useful in dungeons

Progression

The eighteen skills split three ways. Full list on Skills.

Specialisation	Stone	This skill
Magic	The Mage Stone	-
Combat	The Warrior Stone	Yes
Stealth	The Thief Stone	-