questions

Does it matter?

i guess we will never know!

Shield can only be equipped in the left hand.

If it was in the right hand I'm guessing you would have more block attempts but who knows.

Wow, I thought you could equip either hand. I don’t have the stash space to try right now but I’ll assume you’re right.

I actually didn't remember and had to check the code. Zach is right. The right hand is considered the "primary" slot and left hand the "secondary" slot. Shield can only go in secondary slot. I probably did it this way because I'm guessing it worked that way in bots2.