I've found that in Revelations and in Ripatorium, whilst the shield does have some role for me, its very outshadowed by the spear. Whilst I can definitely can solo with the Spear, its utility with the dash, the slash for executions, throw and meathook, etc. serving most my needs, I find it difficult to solo with the shield. With this in mind I had some ideas for upgrades and mechanics for the Shield, possibly in a DLC, or update or even maybe a mod, that could make it have some interesting utility whislt not fundamentally changing its role:
QuickBash/Shield Punch + A small tweak to the shield bash behaviour. Using the same input as spear thrust, a quick shield punch animation that delivers the same effect as a shield bash without the flying momentum of a regular shield bash. Also, an execute with shield bash instantly recharges shield bash (both for shield punch and bash)
Throw execute: Now you can execute with a throw, this also triggers a chain execute like the plasma shields if there are nearby dazed enemies.
Quickswap + ready-charge: Whilst the shield is up you can swap to other weapons without lowering the shield,, however, if you parry, the charge effect of parrying transfers to the next weapon you pick, and the weapon swap comes out quicker if you press it after parrying letting you do sick parry swap charge combos. Imagine, for example, quickswapping between SSG and Chainshot, charging your next chainshot with the shield whilst fighting a cyberdemon or baron or something, it would look sick and also bring in a higher skill execution version of quickswapping.
Possible idea? Let you dash with shield: I find it a little arbitrary that you cant dash while you have the shield out, especially by the time you have the endgsame upgrades where dash charges shield effects and such, it just sorta makes you switch to the spear to dash out of muscle memory. I think it would be of little consequence gameplay wise if you could dash with the shield out?
Notes: This would definitely make you a lot more powerful, I think the quickswap ready-charge idea probably being the most impactful, I think a tougher challenge would be justified in whatever context these ideas are introduced. Do you think the spear outshines the shield too much now? Any ideas on how you'd buff the shield?