I don't want to play a caster with a shield. It's a complete flavor fail. But when the proficiency is there, it feels like I'm intentionally gimping myself if I don't use one for a better AC.
I really dislike the militia thing for humans and half-elves. It feels slapped on for mechanical reasons rather than flavor and verisimilitude.
It doesn't really happen very often, but damn if I don't agree with JandK on this one.
