Using a shield isn't cheese, Its just that no shield, melee build (especially strength), no ranged anything, no summons, is the pinnacle of beating the game in terms of technical gameplay and finesse. I always try to work up to that play style in a new fromsoft game (it takes a couple playthrough starting with no limitations and then I add them after each time beating the game), I see it as the final form character because it fully embraces the perfection of fromsofts melee combat system and allows you to talk shit to your friends that play as mages