the amount blocked is actually rather good in proportion to the block rate.

lets compare

95 blocked
120 block rate
vintage kite shield

the current best shield in the game

with this shield i range from 10-20% block rate, while using deflection+ambidextry at the same time to maximize the block rate, plus 5/6 sent gear for extra block rate (missing legs, cant get the stupid key to drop, 20+ kills with only 1 key)

now the problem is back when we had the block ability I had a block rate of around 75% (and yah I always kept the shield up)

a high block rate shield is what is needed the most, all your damage blocked on your normal shield is useless if you do not block :P

the new shield is
168 block
71 def

lets look at this trade off. an extra 48 block rate, with 24 less def. that is a 2 to 1 trade off....now also add +15 evasion....best shield in the game

now...look at my point of view

a glimmer of hope...a high block rate shield...yes...SE is actually going to do something right for once....i reach for it....but wait...it moves further away...i reach for it again...it moves again....i cant reach it...it is out of my grasp.