New to the game and do you feel like blocking doesn't work? Or that you don't have control over your stances? OKAM uses a different system than any of us are used to from previous directional games and it needs a little explanation. But don't worry, because soon you'll feel that the controls are very natural, even if you have other control systems (like warband) hardwired in your muscle memory.

This guide is a copy from my BASIC MELEE COMBAT GUIDE on the forums. Go check it out!
http://forum.ofkingsandmen.net/index.php?topic=825.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS
BASIC PRINCIPLES
BASIC CONTROLS
CONTROL SETTINGS
GOING DEEPER INTO THE DIFFERENT WEAPON CLASSES
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
- feinting
- blocking swings that come from your flank
- fighting shielders
- fighting alone against multiple enemies
- fighting with teammates against one enemy
- group fighting
- the missed swing and cheeky stab
- free kicks!

• There are up to 9 stances (depending on the weapon type) stances from which the player can attack and block incoming blows. You can move through these stances fluently and you don't have to release your LMB to choose a different stance (unless you are using lock stance). You don't need to perfectly mirror the opponent's attack in order to block the blow, you can normally be 'off one stance'.
  
• Weapons also physically block, meaning that you can stop incoming blows by manouvering your block into the incoming swing. This is important when you are getting hit from someone that is flanking or encircling you and will also be useful when you are fighting multiple enemies at once (where you'll hold your block corresponding to your movement through the group of enemies so that you block their predicted swings). This is also useful when using spear and shield, to block the opponent's right swings (that come in from your left), as this weapon type doesn't have a left stance.
  
• Shields will always block swings, even when you are not actively blocking. There are downsides to this though, mainly that the shielder's swing gets interrupted and that his shield takes damage.
  
• All weapon types, so this means shields aswell, have directional blocking

• WASD (or ZQSD for azerty) are used for basic movement
  
• Moving the mouse allows you to look around AND also to change stance direction
  
  • HOLDING LMB while moving your mouse towards the desired direction => this functions as a block, but also as a stance from which you will swing. You don't need to release your LMB to change the direction, you move between stances fluently while holding LMB and moving your mouse around.
    
  • RELEASING LMB => you will swing your sword from the stance you were in
    
  • RMB => this is a weapon type specific action
    
    • ONEHANDERS without shield and TWOHANDERS: when you click RMB after releasing LMB, you will perform a high risk parry that (if you manage to connect it with an incoming swing), will result in a faster riposte/counter-attack.
      
    • SHIELDS: when you use RMB, your character gets into the defensive stances and will hold his shield up to block incoming swings. There is no forcefield and you'll need to block directionally. The weapon has to collide with your shield in order to block the incoming attack. Your shield will also take damage from this.
      
    • POLEARMS: no RMB action implemented yet
• CTRL is used to lock stance. This allows you to hold your stance while moving your camera around with your mouse. This is mostly useful for having your attack ready in group fights, especially stabs as they require some aiming beforehand.
  
• E is used to kick.
  
• Q (or A when on azerty) is used for the shield bash or pommel strike.
  
• SPACE BAR is used for the jump. You can use this to scale obstacles, to jump out of reach when being ganked or to jump kick when entering a fight.

These are purely subjective, but can make a big difference if you are not feeling like you are in control of your blocks/attacks or if you think the combat doesn't feel responsive.

• CAMERA SENSITIVITY: if you feel like your turns are too slow, increasing this can help. If you feel like your camera goes all over the place when performing stabs or overhead attacks, lowering this could help as well
  
• STANCE DEAD ZONE: the higher this is, the more you have to move your mouse to change stance. This can help if you feel like you have no control over your stances
  
• STANCE LOCK TOGGLE/ALWAYS ON: this is purely preference, but toggeling this on can make it quite a bit harder to block against fast feints.

(the lines are swing directions, the crosses are stab directions)

• TWOHANDED WEAPONS have 9 attack directions (6 swings, 2 lower stabs) and have a high risk parry as their RMB action.
  
• ONEHANDED WEAPONS have 8 attack directions (7 swings, 1 lower right stab) and have a high risk parry as their RMB action.
  
• ONEHANDED WEAPON WITH SHIELD
  
  • When directionally blocking with LMB, the incoming swing will be stopped by the shielders melee weapon. When you release your LMB, for example after you have blocked, your character will immediatelly perform an attack. If you mess up a block, you still have your shield to passively protect you, but this will damage your shield and stun your character. You can tell if your LMB block was good or bad by listening to the audio cues.
    
  • When directionally blocking with RMB, your character will use his shield to block incoming attacks. The shield will only block attacks that hit it, so you'll still need to aim your shield in the correct direction (the blocking is directional!). Your shield will take damage, but unlike the passie block you won't get stunned. This block is a bit slower, but it offers a lot more protection than the LMB block, where you get stunned if you miss your block and they hit your shield.
• POLEARMS have 7 attack directions (5 swings, 1 lower stab, 1 upper stab). Currently there is no RMB action yet, but this will change. Axes function the same as spears, but the one is ofcourse more focused on swinging than the other.
  
• SPEAR AND SHIELD has 3 stab directions: the lower stab, the right (middle) stab and the overhead stab. The overhead stab is aimed down so it seems like it is the best choice for when your opponent is moving in on you.
  
  • When blocking with LMB there are only the 3 stances you can block from, and thus there is no left stance to block into that direction. You can however block on this side by using the physical blocking mechanic: you point your spear into the direction of the incoming swing on your left and when the opponent's weapon collides with your spear you will block his attack.
    
  • Ofcourse you can also block with RMB, just like 1H + shield.
    
  • Spear and shield is best used in a supportive role as up close it's very easy to get spammed. However, when you find yourself alone and under attack, you can keep your opponent at a distance by stabbing at him over and over again. Your opponent will instinctively keep distance so he has time to react to your stabs. When he manages to close into dangerous range, block his attacks with RMB or LMB and create distance with a nudge. To stab a target at close range, your best choice is the overhead stab as it is aimed down towards the ground.

• FEINTING: the goal of feinting is to throw your opponent off, so he opens his block. To do this, let go of your LMB, but quickly click LMB again while dragging your mouse into another direction. This will stop your swing and start a new swing from the other direction. Try to always feint before you attack, even if it's just in the same direction as your previous swing. Changing stance while holding LMB makes it way too easy for the opponent to read your intentions. Feinting is also very useful against twohanders who are trying to parry you (RMB).
  
• FIGHTING SHIELDERS: Shielders aren't easy to fight. The best technique is trying to get around them and swinging at their flanks. When you hit their shield, don't stop spamming untill you hear the "ting" from their successful block. All shield hits are basically free hits you can get in with a chance to land them.
  
• BLOCKING SWINGS THAT COME FROM THE SIDES/ BEHIND YOU: As explained earlier, swings also get blocked if they physically collide with a block or shield. You can use this to your advantage when getting flanked, when your opponent encircles you and when you are fighting alone against multiple enemies. Block into the direction of the flanking enemy and make sure his weapon will hit your block first, so turn your character model into the incoming swing if needed. NOTE: at the moment the hit detection isn't great yet so phyiscal blocking might not work all the time.
  
• FIGHTING ALONE AGAINST MULTIPLE ENEMIES: Note that when this happens, there is no reason to panic. If done correctly a situation like this might actually give you the edge in the fight! When you are getting ganged by multiple opponents, movement is key! Don't start backpeddling because you'll soon find a sword in your back. Change direction very often while moving through the group of opponents. While doing this, turn your block into the enemies you are passing and encircling. When you have an opening, swing at one of the enemies behind the first opponent, they will often not be expecting a swing. While swinging pass the first opponent and dive back into the group. Doing this will make it very hard for your opponents to find an opening where they can swing at you without hitting a teammate. A lot of their attacks will get caught by your block or glance off as well.
  
• FIGHTING WITH TEAMMATES AGAINST ONE ENEMY: the grave danger here is teamhits, that can often turn the tide against the group and in favour of the single opponent. We'll be the smart teammate here and not go in flailing like a lot of teammates will often do. First of all don't go higher than 3v1: the fourth teammate only increases the chance of teamhits and could be much more useful somewhere else. Try keeping your distance and hold your stab ready (lock stance with CTRL). When you see an opening you'll be able to stab without being too much of a danger to your teammates. You also don't need to come close when stabbing, so you are fairly safe from swings directed at the opponent. Make sure you are ready to block for when the opponent turns towards you with a swing!
  
• GROUP FIGHTING: When fighting in a group, try to hold a front where your teammates and your opponents collide. Shielders can safely hold the first line while twohanders and polearms are right behind them. It's very important that you try to conserve the integrity of the line, so don't allow the enemy to create an opening from which they can flank your teammates. Consider that you are not only fighting the guy right in front of you, but also the teammates right next to him: keep them at bay by throwing swings at them. Stabs and overheads will be especially useful here because you will have teammates around you that you don't want to hit. When you have created an opening, try to use this to flank enemies that are fighting your teammates: use stabs and maybe even swings to quickly hit them in the back, but make sure you get back into your line position when there is a chance that enemies might slip through.
  
• THE MISSED SWING AND FOLLOW UP STAB: A little trick that might throw off some lesser skilled opponents is intentionally missing a swing by attacking from too far and immediatelly following up with a stab. People will see the missed swing as a possibility to come in and attack you, but because your swing wasn't blocked you will be able to attack again very quickly. If you stab as second attack, you will have a much longer reach then the opponent who is coming in with a swing and you'll often get in a free stab.
  
• FREE KICKS: A great way to get consistent free kicks on your opponent is by immediatelly kicking after you hit him with your weapon. Following up with an overhead seems to have the highest chance of getting in a hit after that. The kick can be a great way to quickly mash through unskilled players (as they won't be fast enough to block your follow up swing) or to increase your chance of winning against a better player.