I have a problem with the deflecting arrows mechanic.
I do not have a problem with the idea itself, but the random chance aspect sits wrong with me, and the idea that it is locked behind a perk.
So I have an idea on how to make it skill based.
The animation during the transition to block would be a great time to deflect an arrow.
For example, I am holding left block. Then I switch to right block.
In the small amount of time that my player switches between blocks is the time in which the arrow can be deflected.
It cannot be anything else, as that would be making it overpowered.
Examples of how I think it should be:
Top block(block overhead swings)->transition animation( deflect arrow )->bottom block(block stabs from spears and swords)
Neutral stance (when player is doing nothing and is vunerable to all attacks ->transition animation (deflect arrow property) -> right block (protect from swings from opponent left)
Holding bottom attack to stab opponent -> transition animation to block (
Do not add deflect property here) -> top block.
Also make sure that the deflect can only block 1 arrow at a time as to not make Archers useless against two handers.
In addition, the player must recieve feedback for deflecting the arrow, so when the arrow is deflected the player can do a brief diagonal sword stance, like this
Accompanied with a satisfying sword cling sound.
Please remove the perk limitation, and make it a hidden feature that is standard with all 2 handed weapons like Chambering in Warband