ZanderDogz said:
The first thing you want to do is spend about 1 hour a day on the duel servers. They might not be most fun but they are very, very good for your skill.
I wouldn't say improvement is limited to specifically duel servers, spending an hour a day on any server with good players is beneficial. Duel servers are great for getting manual blocking up to scratch, but they don't help you with shield technique or general battle awareness.
ZanderDogz said:
A good weapon combo is a 2h axe or 2h sword and a speare. if your are fighting someone who does not know to always block down when going againts a speer than it will be very easy to win, if they do know than try sidestepping before attacking or to start a speer attack and quicly switch to another weapon and do a side or up attack.
Some spears and spear like weapons can attack in all four directions anyway, so down blocking isn't going to cover any more than any of the other blocks. It is a smart move because thrust attacks have the most range.
However, thrust attacks get stunned for longer when they are blocked. If you hold down block an alert opponent simply won't use a thrust, not holding any block or even the wrong block might lure your opponent into making a stab/thrust attack which you could then simply block anyway because they're not exactly fast and take advantage of the longer stun when making your next attack.
ZanderDogz said:
Just a quick tip: when playing an archer always choose a 2h weapon if you are playing as a faction that alows it (like nords) unless you are planning to pick up a shield later.
I generally avoid the 2h axe because of the unbalanced trait, I also find that competent players tend to block the 2h axe more easily than the 1h options available which at least give me speed. (This one is more a preference than actual advice though).
ZanderDogz said:
a very good way to win 2h melle fights is to trick your enemy into blocking 1 way but than attacking the other way.
Another trick is to hold your attack for slightly longer than your opponent expects. A lot of people lower their block quite quickly in order to start their attack earlier, they don't always pay attention to whether your attack actually connected.
ZanderDogz said:
You also might find that switching to first person (using r) might be very helpful duting practice.
The most important thing to remember in melee is to keep your opponent in the centre of your screen, otherwise your attacks will miss and your blocks won't stop anything. Switching to first person often limits your capacity to follow your opponents movements. They will try to get behind you.
That was beautiful.