If your intention is to kill ranged you might as well shoot them. You have good ability against ranged, melee and cav. Plus you can deal damage often without the risk of standing in a melee
A shield is a defensive ability, it deals no damage and once in range you can have very lengthy melee fights. Manual block completely negates damage, and while facing someone with a shield you expose your sides and back to enemy attacks
People should be encouraged to go pure melee because it counters ranged better than ranged counters ranged. You shouldn't have such high penetration on higher armour, and ranged should not have such good melee capability. Cav should be cheaper and more effective against ranged
