I did 6 gens as polearm (3 w/Great Long Bardiche then 3 w/ Long Bardiche), and now I'm wrapping up my 3rd gen as a shielder, so I'll chime in on the "what is easier" debate.
I never really bothered blocking as polearmer, just wear good armor, backpeddle and hack away. I averaged a respectable 2.2:1 KDR and was pretty much always top 3 on my team in kills (I only play siege, for what it's worth).
Despite having a 6 generation advantage over when I started playing as a polearmer, I'm having a much rougher go as a shielder. Maulers crush me, axe users break my shield in 3-4 swings, my thrusts and right swings always glance, my light 1h sword always gets me stunned when blocked by a heavy 2h/pole. I'm lucky to pull 1.5:1 KDR on siege. I can't imagine how awful it would be playing a shielder with no looms or experience. Reach and high damage is the way to go if you are new to the game.
Back on topic, it's dumb that 2h users have the advantage at a distance AND up close vs shielders. Their swings glance less at all ranges, and they can block and kick at the same time. Shielders should have the advantage in toe-to-toe fighting, i.e. shield bash (when implemented) should be better than kick and 1h animations should glance less.