This fighting style is far superior than it was in the 3rd Edition, but I think that it still has some problems. First, you have to work on raising multiple skills. Say two weapons, heavy shieldplay, and dodge. You can't just get by with the weapon and shield skills because some spells can only be dodged. Therefore a fighter with this style must maintain a larger number of skills at a decent level to be effective. There is also the fact that most one-handed weapons with a good amount of damage are Strength+Agility, so you have two attributes that you must have at good levels to maximize your potential.

In return for this you do get some juicy benefits. First, the shield is the best passive defense the game offers. You get the block percentage and half of your shield skill with no cost to the character. Even if the attacker gets beyond the passive you can then use an active shield block — with most decent shields getting a 10-20% boost. Finally, even if the block failed the shield will still take the brunt of the blow with the rest going to the armour underneath. Since most shields have a great deal of defense you can take a solid hit just by using a shield and heavy body armour.

If I had to characterize this type of fighter I would say they are the best defensive-style fighters. They have a good damage potential and can shave a few points off of the attack cost (over two-handed weapons) giving them more blows per round. Finally, they also have access to the greatest number weapons. An often overlooked weapon is the Falchon. It is a heavy greatsword that can be used one-handed, giving a best-of-both-worlds aspect to the sword and shield fighter.

I believe this is the best style for a solid fighter to look at. Although you give up your shield's defense you more than make up for that with increase to all weapon statistics and a longer reach in the case of Action Point ties. The biggest disadvantage is that you have to rely on your dodge and heavy armour for defense — this situation is worsened by the reduction in your fatigue from wearing heavy armour on foot and the sheer number of Action Points it takes two swing a two-handed weapon (forget about parrying with that weapon, far too expensive).

The biggest advantage is not in the weapon's straight damage potential, but in the critical bonus and the low bash numbers. A successful bash can not only provide the attacker with a Combat Advantage, but give them a hit bonus by striking the target to their knees and knocking out their attacking potential by causing them to lose Action Points. This triple whammy can take even a fast character to one attack per round. With a bash in the 6-7 category and a +1 to the Critical Die a character with a two-handed weapon should be bashing their opponent every other strike. Most of these bashes should get to the -10 AP, Combat Advantage, and knocked to knees because of their weapon weight versus the human target's medium weight.

The number one disadvantage is the large number of Action Points it takes to swing the weapon. As the combat wears on a fighter can easily be reduced to only one swing every round or a 0-2-1 count depending on what they roll on the Initiative Die. Not attacking in a round can turn the entire tide of battle giving an opponent to strike without losing fatigue in return.

The most touch-and-go type of fighter that combines the flexibility of a good attack and the defense of a good parry. While most weapons offer no bonuses to parry (like shields do to block) the ability to take a Combat Advantage when it suits you to attack with your off-hand weapon can turn the tide in your advantage quickly.

Like the sword and shield fighter, someone learning two weapon fighting has more skills they must work with — but is not hampered by the problem with having multiple defenses. Instead, they get the advantage of multiple attacks. Having multiple weapon-styles is not such a disadvantage since there may be times when having one weapon or another is useful. Even better is the fact that a two-weapon fighter can make instant use of a vast majority of superior and enchanted weapons you take from your enemies. While a two-handed fighter has the least flexibility.