Speaking strictly from an endgame standpoint, there is literally zero bonuses for not using a shield. There's only negative aspects. You'll take more damage, which won't be appreciated by healers. You also will lose access to several Gladiator skills (You will literally be unable to use them without a shield equipped) that are both very useful and pretty much a necessity to make pulling and tanking easier.
Not using a shield is probably only going to make people look at you and go "What is this guy doing?"Â
When you're soloing, it's all fine and dandy what you do, but if you bring RP into a group setting with non-roleplayers, it's likely some will ostracize you for your choices and speaking as some one who's primary focus is in endgame/in-game content, it's just kind of flat out rude to purposefully make your character perform worse for the sake of aesthetics. Making yourself take more damage and making yourself less efficient is kind of like saying "I don't care if I die or cause a wipe and waste your time." to strangers.
If you run with a static and your friends are okay with it, by all means, but I personally wouldn't do it with strangers.
Just my opinion on the matter, however.
Not using a shield is probably only going to make people look at you and go "What is this guy doing?"Â
When you're soloing, it's all fine and dandy what you do, but if you bring RP into a group setting with non-roleplayers, it's likely some will ostracize you for your choices and speaking as some one who's primary focus is in endgame/in-game content, it's just kind of flat out rude to purposefully make your character perform worse for the sake of aesthetics. Making yourself take more damage and making yourself less efficient is kind of like saying "I don't care if I die or cause a wipe and waste your time." to strangers.
If you run with a static and your friends are okay with it, by all means, but I personally wouldn't do it with strangers.
Just my opinion on the matter, however.