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Alright, about to be the minority.
I prefer the starcannon/shuricannon combo with holofields.

I actually dont sit around using my best defensive weapon all game long. Usually my opponent has crazy one shot killing weapons and I need to reduce those to glances. I feel the defensive ability of the shield is drastically underplayed by the internets.

Negating a first turn sternguard drop-pod or a non-scattering farsight bomb is critical to demoralizing an enemy and gaining the upper-hand.

I use the offensive capabilities of the shield situationally and have always preferred the ap2 of the starcannons.

I would use the shields as weapons when: opponent has a lot of infantry in cover, and minimal long-range AT (only a few shots at 48", most at 36 or shorter) which I can outrange and therefore don't need to protect myself from.
Also late game when there are no ore reserves to pop in and surprise my flank.

Since the starcanon is the same cost as all the other weapons, It's my preferred method. I also tend to get about 1 bladestorming shuricannon shot too, moving and firing both weapons means I get to keep the shield as a defense.

-Mark