I used to think increasing block % is a good way to solve the issue. Now that I thought about it I am not so sure. Say a really good shield has a 50% chance to block an attack. Well that's a 50% chance for RNGesus to work his miracles and make someone ragequit in Arena because luck ain't on his side. Not to mention Larian now has to do the extra work in determining which skills can be blocked and which can't. Should a shield block Throw Dagger? Probably. What about Mortal Blow? Hmmm.
From the various design decisions we have seen so far I think Larian wants to minimize RNG in DOS 2 combat mechanics. That's why all of my suggestions for the shield talents & skills involve no RNG, either. It does put some significant restrictions on what a shield should do though.
Edit: some new stuff I came up. What can I say, I love the shield and voted for the shield skill tree in both rounds. Too bad most people didn't like the shield as much as say, summoning or polymorph.
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New Skill: Defensive Posture (requires shield)
School: Warfare
AP cost: 1
Memory slot: 1
Cooldown: 2 turns
The character blocks ALL attacks of opportunity with his shield for one turn.
This is a way to make the shield into both a defensive and offensive asset by providing freedom in movement. The shielded fighter can now waltz through a wall of enemies or retreat from !@#$% Bishop Alexander without taking a hit!
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New Skill: Magic Shield (requires shield)
School: Geomancer
AP Cost: 1
Memory Slot: 1
Duration: 3 turns
Cooldown: 4 turns
The character restores the same amount of magic armor as the physical armor provided by his shield. This goes on top of any existing magic armor and can go over the maximum. However it does not stack multiple times. After the spell expires any magic armor in excess of the maximum is destroyed.
Gives cleric/battlemage etc more reasons to wield a shield.
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