Basically, all of the good players completely understand how dominant you can be as a shielder. I'm pretty sure every "2handed-cav-polearm hero" etc has played multiple gens as shielders, and very likely got an even higher KD then their ten gens as whatever melee class.
Being a shielder isn't hard. It's hilariously easy, like heavy armor long 2handed/polearm backpedaling.
Veteran cRPG players who are comfortable as a shielder are easily some of the most impactful in most Battle situations, and understand animations in Warband enough to wreck even highly skilled duelists in duels, since 1hand can be played in a fast, aggressive, skillful way and has high-danger swings to counter any footwork.
What we all uniformly recognize as shit, is turtle shielders. People who don't even dare try to get inside swings, who just pivot around holding RMB whenever their opponent winds up. Backpedaling, RMB'ing, doing nothing, randomly swinging in between the bored 2hander/polearms 10th feint/spam combo trying to make something happen and then cheering "heh.. noob 2hand spammers.."
And this is the kind of player who uses shields on duel. Shitty noobs. I, and I'm sure everyone else here, has never had a fun duel with, and feels nothing but a lack of respect for, the Shielder on Duel. Do everyone a favor and go on siege if you want to practice instead (if anyone even plays siege still lol dead mod)
Also my main point is what kind of pussy makes an entire thread on General Discussion saying people insulted him on the duel server? People do that all the time, because cRPG is filled with raging spergs, like most videogames. Expect people to shit talk you for any perceived weakness, especially if you appear to be some thinks-is-good-tryhard noob who uses overpowered tactics ineffectively and is just trash in all ways. Born 2 be trolled