I was thinking of a Magitek Shield of sorts, that's basically just a bracelet until you get in a fight, then it emits a shield-shaped energy field. For shield lob I guess it'd take a different animation than what we have, though.

Not that that's important, in my opinion. If they think shield lobbing doesn't make sense if you can't see the shield, I ask; In which world does it make sense to throw your one and only shield at your opponent, only for it to reappear in your hand the very next second? Shield lob is a nonsensical skill in the first place.