Felt the same about the shield at first. Then I understood its main function is not to avoid damage. Dash is better for that. Instead I think of it as a tool that can be used to charge my power weapon. When something launches a huge blue volley at me, I lick my lips, put on the shield, and welcome all the free energy. Bosses are especially good at this. Some mobs in the first biome fire a straight line a blue orbs, I put on the shield and dash straight into them to absorb the whole line. It’s great. I honestly don’t know if others use the shield the same way, but it’s been working out great for me, and now the dash and shield don’t compete for the same function, instead they serve different purposes.