I've never seen them have maintenance actually. Might be because I'm in Europe.
I made a new character yesterday, a Peltasta. The shield user in the early Swordsman class tree.
I... I just, man I don't even know anymore. I do more damage than I did as a Swordsman circle 2 on my Barbarian. AND I can now actually manually block with C (if I have a shield equipped), doubling my physical defense for when I just can't escape a boss's attack fast enough. And I get a defense buff, I don't use it because it diminishes attack while it's active, but it's there if I need it.
I'll be promoting into Hoplite. I actually ran into the Hoplite master in the fields and spoke to him.
SWORDFAGS ON SUICIDE WATCH