Taunt could target magic armor. As a fighter, you want to lock down melee characters who are challenging your allies. It could be a small aoe centered around the player and lasts 1 turn, it could cost 1 or 2AP and have a normal cool down time. It shouldn't be a problem in the arena. It would essential be a CC, but instead of being useless for 1 turn (stun/frozen) the enemy gets to do damage.
However, if I remember correctly, there was an option for a guardian skill tree that wasn't voted for. I agree that creating a handful of new skills for shields is just wishful thinking. There is no doubt that Warfare lends itself better to high damage 2h weapons because skill damage correlates with the weapon equipped. Overpower is the exception (sometimes) because a higher armor value will allow you to break and topple enemies.
Another option could be offering a new weapon style. Have 2h, 1h, dual wield, and add sword/board. Shields would no longer fall under 1h and offer different benefits. Instead of the 1h %accuracy %damage, it could offer %armor %?. Attacks could then cost 1AP but would offer survivability over 1h accuracy/damage.
Personally, I think raising shield (magus idea) and/or boosting armor values would be wonderful. It would have to be a significant boost, considering the offensive focus of this game.
