also. should their be shield moves? I know the ones we saw in the anime were primarily extra skills but it occurs to me that if shield is a combat skill it may well have moves like <<Brace>> <<Block>> or <<Counter>>, potentially something like <<Defence Stance>> too as a kind of combat mode. I've already referenced brace IC with Shurikai as a low level defensive shield move. One that basically reduces staggering, physical statuses like Bleed and reduces damage a little.

I might go with a lance if I am going for a true Tank set up. That set up seemed popular in the anime, particularly in the raid party for The Army and the Knights Alliance. I imagine low level lances would amount to little more than a spear though. Perhaps lances are a form of heavy spear unlocked by levelling the skill?