So, I tried fighting both the trainers in the tutorial field with the two hander and only blocking. Longest I've lasted was about 25 seconds, they always endup getting me once with a nonsense point blank thrust attack or my hand gets too tense or whatever else. And I guess that yea, it's normal that in less than two minutes of pure defense I'd eventually make a mistake. But does that mean it's not worth learning how to block effectively without the game doing it for you ? No it doesn't ! Attacking back is part of being defensive, and when I attack back I can beat any AI easily. That's only normal. And no, I don't kill every single enemy before they start attacking, far from it.
At the end it's about the learning process and whether you want to be able to fail. Whether you want challenge. If you've told yourself that it's not worth it because you can't reach automation level of reliability, so be it. But I will say this : you are missing out on a lot.
That said, I want to reiterate that I'm not against the option. Any option some people feel they need to enjoy the game should be in. Now, should every option still allow to get achievements... that's a more complex topic :p
Well, kudos for you for trying. Perhaps we have slightly different expectations for the combat, especially one on one. I think that being able to defend extensively should be fairly reasonably possible. Defending should, on average, be easier then attacking, since you have to move your sword over far less distance. And then there is the issue of many enemies making blocking impossible overall, which is as it should be. But against one enemy...kinda feels like it should be possible to block forever, since not trying to attack should make it much easier to block.
I wonder what the stats on the tutorial trainer are, i.e. if he has any real advantages.
But I will object to your 'not trying' element. I adore challenge, I just want challenge that produces roughly appropriate outcomes. My mouse cannot, ultimately, compete with a computer. I have to let go, move my mouse, and then click again to block. Before I do that, I have to read complex body language, with flapping cloaks, my own character in the way, and weapons that clip through things. The AI, on the other hand, can merely read a number variable with four possible options and match it. That does not appear 'fair' to me.
More to the point, I've been playing multiplayer, and I've been fine. Humans, it seems, I can handle with some solid confidence. That implies that there is some factor that requires equalizing with the AI. Don't assume that people who want something for the AI are merely 'bad at the game'. It's a lot like an RTS, a computer can perfectly micro if programmed properly, a human cannot. A computer has perfect map awareness, a human cannot. A computer has near-infinite APM, a human has limits. Humans, therefore, need to use other advantages, and in RTS, that advantage is better planning. In Bannerlord, what would that advantage be? Perhaps placement? But none of that helps in a close in duel, so something that equalizes a bit with the AI doesn't seem unreasonable.