Skill Point Rewards from completing Quests don't apply to shield :(

[Adol]

The fact is that we were spoiled pre 1.18 with linking leves. That is what got you the bonuses you speak of, and that's likely why you see this as a nerf. It's the same way that people see THM as nerfed when it was overpowered in the first place.

While it's great you're trying to contribute your own idea to this issue, people are asking for a community rep to confirm whether this was done intentionally or not, not another forum member.