Having reinstalled this game at the start of December I just hit Level 20 as a Sword & Board warrior.
STR 7, END 5, AGI 3, INT 1, AWA 2, PER 3
Charge 1, Fury 3, Shield 3, Bash 2, Cleave 2, Heal 2,
Duel 2, Heavy 3, Body 3, Infantry 2
Mix of standard armours plus Heroic Helm.
Paladin's Longsword + Scutum.
Got my first Black Shard now too.
Was using Hirge and just done her quest. Compared to the first time I played this game Hirge really does feel like cheating. Nice cheating but cheating. Hard is now Easy mode or Easier Mode.
So I dug Adaon out, did his quest, and reformed him as an Archer (Kick 1, Archery 3, Rapid Fire 2, Precision 2, Massive Criticals 3). He's on Jester's Bow out in the wilds and Silver Bow of Malan in the crypts. Anyway, his stun is incredible, especially rapid-fire Jester Bow.