You are able to acquire knockback melee skills for weapons at a higher skill level. You are allowed to choose one from a variety of weapons each of which are of different range and speeds nature. With one hand holding a weapon, you are able to hold a shield on the other hand and parry attacks with it to take less damage. In my opinion, it is considered to be a good tactic against guard towers. There is also a mounted combat. You lean left or right on a mount and swing your sword on one hand, and then take your mount under control to attack the front or back.
