Shield-bearers are actually fairly decent all around troops but you need them to make them defensive-utility hybrid.
Both variant defensive heavy or utility heavy are viable.
Essential Defence
Deflect-Shield expert-anything else but Battle forged recommended
Hold out
Essential Utility
Quick hands-Belt and bags- pathfinder
Brawny
If going ‘Orcs can’t push me’ way
Indomitable plus Rotation is nice but any other than Nimble is OK
If going ‘Shield wall all day’ way
Weaponmaster(for cheaper skill fatigue cost), Fearsome is also great eventually Sunder strike from Off tree or more 1st tier def perks as all of them are great in some way
