User blog comment:Godisme/Swastika Break/@comment-3395946-20110218151217/@comment-2048489-20110218172237

Well, when one uses a "shield" and a sword together, there are more ways to kill your opponent. So tactically, it would be wiser to keep them together. For example, by having a sword and a shield you don't have to parry with the sword all the time. Blocking an attack with your "shield" and trapping your opponent's weapon with it leaves the sword free for an instant counterattack. Besides that, it's just more convenient to have something devoted to blocking attacks that can also attack in its own way.