Updated: Non-OP Way to Make Shields Ranged+Melee & Dual-Wieldable: one shield blocks, both attack

1. Retaliator
2. Punisher
3. Sentinel
4. Oppressor
5. Defender
6. Aggressor

As you can see, this shield is dedicated to blocking with protection-based mods + basic physical damage that cannot in any way have the probability of being supported by additional physical-based properties, not even if you craft with orbs.

The text within the image here is red because the player is not currently using 2 shields. However, when players wield two shields, the text becomes gray (in this image and the other one.)

EDIT: Disregard the red text, and the grey text that reads, "When Dual-Wielded." Both shields (in this image and the other one) will be able to deal physical damage regardless if duel-wielded or not. However, the shields that currently drop now in PoE that only block cannot in any way have the probability of having additional physical-based mods, not even if you craft with orbs.

Do you see the difference(s) between the image before and this one? This shield here is dedicated to attacking only, not blocking in any way, shape, or form.

Unlike the shields that currently drop now in PoE, this shield type would definitely have the probability of getting additional physical-based mods, even if you use orbs for crafting.

EDIT: Disregard the red text, and the grey text that reads, "When Dual-Wielded." Both shields (in this image and the other one) will be able to deal physical damage regardless if duel-wielded or not. However, the shields that currently drop now in PoE that only block cannot in any way have the probability of having additional physical-based mods, not even if you craft with orbs.

"Why make it so one shield blocks, and the other is used for attacking only? Shouldn't both shields be used for blocking and attacking at the same time?"

The answer: NO, and let me tell you why:

The obvious reason for this is balance, and since combat is quite versatile with what you can do, if you're attacking someone with two shields, or better, two weapons wielded at once, what do you think you're going to do?

If you're a good, sensible fighter, you would use one weapon or shield to defend yourself more than would be used for attacking, then you would use the other weapon or shield for attacking more than would be used for blocking.

So is this concept really far-fetched? Not so much...

Therefore, the fact you can attack with both shields while only one shield blocks (if it kicks in) is what makes this concept legit and balanced vs. anyone else's version of this concept in every way.

On a more literal note (for those who like to be), you can definitely alternate between two wielded weapons or two wielded shields to block with or attack with. Then again, the problem at stake we're dealing with is balance, and in this case, blocking is allowed for one shield only.

To have it the other way around (I promise you) where both shields can block AND attack at the same time is what has always given this concept a bad reputation, that which explains the reason why it has never been implemented in any major title game I know of.

So with all the above stated in mind, my concept does away with all the issues many have run into on the drawing board. The reason I say many is because I'm not going to sit here and lie by saying I'm the first guy to come up with this concept, but I can tell you this much: I am the first to perfect the concept without it being OP.

Power-Up & Melee Skill Gems that can work with this class / melee type are:

Cyclone, Sweep, Elemental Hit, Flicker-Strike, Shield Charge, Dual-Strike, all Charge-Up-Based Skill Gems such as Frenzy, and any other physical-based Skill Gems that could work not mentioned here.

Support Gems that can work with this class / melee type are:

Knockback, Melee Splash, Multistrike, Added Chaos/Fire/Cold/Lightning Damage, Culling Strike, Empower, and any other Support Gems that could work not mentioned here.

Support Gems that can work with new Skill Gems like 'Beaming Shield' (as mentioned in the OP) are:

Greater Multiple Projectiles, Faster Projectiles, Fork, Chain, Faster Attacks,, Iron Grip or Iron Will, and any other Support Gems that could work not mentioned here.

Note: I believe how characters hold dual-wielded shields could be improved, but this is just an example to bring it to life.

This concept is also Microtransaction-Friendly to help fund this concept. The Art team can develop MTX skins to change the color of the Skill Gem's animation, or develop MTX skins where skull heads, dragon heads, spirits, etc. can beam out from a player's shield.

For lack of better example – I wasn't going to get too crazy with this image -- what’s happening here is as the character is wielding his/her shield around (like you would a wand,) the shield lights up and beams outward toward enemies, and the farther it goes, the bigger the projection gets (slightly,) and the more transparent it becomes, hitting enemies in a line upon impact as it trails.

In conclusion, the 'Beaming Shield' Skill Gem (for shields only) will make it so you can actually attack long ranged with your shield.

Isn’t that awesome? This then means players who use the 'Beaming Shield' Skill Gem on their Skill Bar can attack ranged AND close up.

NOTE: The image below shows what it would look like at a ridiculous low FPS, but if it's being used by players constantly every time they wield their shield, it will move way faster than illustrated.

Here's the link if you want to view it at Full Screen
http://imgserv.com/images/2014/04/12/5wUBkh.png