I don't understand people taking defence and not using a shield.

For me I find shield skills the best ingame. Every shield damage that you do is combined with your weapon. So it's not just shield damage it's shield + weapon damage. Pulverise is probably the best skill in game. In combination with Batter you can take out whole groups of creeps in seconds.

With my Warden (level 60, 3750 dps (just art of the hunt) I do study prey then I go in batter and do few pulverises and the whole group of them is dead. I'm on the chapter 4 on legendary difficulty and I'm doing the same. Though the potions are really nesecarry now.

So, I suggest to you who all play the defence class. Please don't underestimate the power of shield skills. They are pwnage.