I'd like to be able to swing my sword and shield. Shield would inherent blunt and knockdown like a mace, and of course the higher the weight and strength the greater knockdown chance.
Shield attacks would be:
Push, like a thrust motion.
Right to left swing, like a bitch slap.
Left to right swing, a lefty punch.
Down spike, a ankle breaking manuever.
Add this to game and I'm all for removing those forcefields. And requiring shielders to look up to block overheads and down to block thrusts.