If you are not very good at blocking manually, I suggest you to completely drop that shield
I actually disagree with this one statement. If you are not good at blocking manually, you should use a shield. A few reasons why I think that way.
Also this game is turn based.You learn little when you're dead a few seconds into a round. (Watching good players is still good though)
You don't know you should be blocking until you are dead.
You panic and block sporadically.
You have difficultly adjusting to moving your mouse in the right direction. ( same with attacking)
All in all, I think a shield is GOOD if you can't block. Just as obvious as it sounds.
It keeps you alive longer.
It makes it easier to identify when to block.
Pressing the block button stops all damage from the front. (As opposed to only a direction)
No mouse movement required, even though it is highly suggested.
Game is still turn based.A big negative of it though is the mindset of a shield as safe happy zone. Don't hold it up longer than you need to. Press it to block and let go. Holding it up is a bad habit. The solution is to think of your shield as something to protect. (what?) You DON'T want them hitting your shield. You want the shield up as little as possible, which brings you to either stand still or be attacking. Always attack. (incoming confusing statement) If you are attacking, they are not... unless they are. Rule of thumb to use when considering 90% of weapons. If they start attacking first, you must block or get hit. If you attack first, they must block or get hit. Footwork, weapon speed, and wpf all may change this rule but it is still there. This is why I say the game is
turn based until you learn how to bend the rules. For now though, pick up a shield and stay alive as long as possible. The longer you live, the more you learn.