ive played all these games right from the beginning with DeS in 2010 and i never used shields at all nor did any of my friends. only time i really felt like i needed a shield was getting through the beginning of the valley of defilement in DeS where its really easy to fall down if you roll around to dodge enemies. blocking was always a noobtrap. never used shields in dark souls 1 except for parrying or for the grass shields passive.