Respectully disagree:

If I put 30+ points in shield stat, which I did, I have 6-10 more emergency blocks per battle in advanced bloodlines.

Per battle -- even per GK fight -- assuming I am above average at dodging, competent at parrying, and am interested more in offense than Harry Potter, I have time and need to get off only 2 spells, max, though I'll have more opportunities. This includes instances in which I need to combo-break via spell. When I do cast spells, they are almost exclusively to regenerate my life, never to regenerate my shield. That seems to me a wasted spell: Why not just heal and continue to rely on dodging/parrying? Shield is to be used circumstantially or as an emergency. I feel if you are casting a spell to restore an emergency life-line mid-battle there is something fundamentally wrong.

My attacks deal 268 damage from one swipe and my shield is able to sustain itself into the advanced stages of a GK battle without need for magic. I accomplished this by doing the exact opposite of what everyone on these forums advised to do: balancing my specs. Without that I would need to waste spells that should be used to combo-break-heal, and perhaps use an inferior ring, as you suggest.

Your results however (1150 LV GK) indicate your system is prudent, successful and effective. I am just not convinced it is optimal.