Combat The art of combat involves the use of weapons and armor to defend oneself from harm . It also functions as a class specialization for both pre - made and custom classes in most games . Classes specializing in " Combat " include : Archer , Barbarian , Crusader , Knight , Rogue , Scout , and Warrior . Attacking . The amount of damage done to an opponent depends on several things : Power attacks . To use power attack , one must hold down the attack button . Each rank in Blade and Blunt upgrades the Basic Power Attack to a Mastery Power Attack in a specific direction . Those proficient in Hand - to - Hand have the same Novice , Apprentice , and Journeyman attacks , but also have special effects for Expert and Master level : Blocking . Blocking is governed by the Block skill and reduces or neutralizes melee damage from an opponent . Melee attacks can be blocked with shields or , if experienced in Hand - to - Hand , with arms . Like attacks , blocking also provides unique blocking abilities at each rank of experience : Alternatively , one may want to learn how to circle an opponent and dodge or step away from them when they attack , to avoid being hit in the first place . Other combat situations . Knockdown . If Fatigue is depleted during combat , either by being hit with Hand - to - Hand or a Drain Fatigue or Damage Fatigue spell , then the character will be temporarily knocked down . They will get back up again once fatigue recovers . Enemies can be knocked down by either destroying their Fatigue or using a Mastery Backwards Power Attack ( Expert level required ) on the foe , which has a chance of knocking them down . Dodging . A character with Journeyman level Acrobatics skill can do a quick avoidance roll by pressing block and jumping in a direction to quickly roll in that direction . If the speed is high enough , an enemy ' s power attack can usually be dodged without rolling by simply moving out of the way . Yielding . To Yield , simply block and press the use button on the attacking character as if to talk to them . Depending on the situation and their disposition , they may accept the yield and stop fighting . The amount of disposition is different for each NPC . Creatures and permanently - hostile NPCs ( like Bandits ) never yield naturally . However , if a Charm spell ( such as Captivate ) is used with a 100 - point Disposition boost , the Bandit will yield and even discuss rumors . The Bandit will , however , attack as soon as the Spell wears off . An exploit has been found with regard to yielding . Combat mechanics . A common tactic used in combat is to block an enemy ' s strike using a weapon or shield . Even a simple block offers an opening to strike , either with spells or weapons . A wise strategy is to block as default , and watch for the open - chested weaknesses most creatures have . An experienced blocker using high quality hardware will be more likely to stagger an enemy . Judicious use of blocking is the foundation of advanced melee combat . It is easier to perform the specialized power attacks attained at high weapon skill levels by starting the power attack and then selecting a direction , as opposed to moving and then starting the power attack .