I run a Vampire/Paladin template, and I went with studded armor, shield, and broadswords. I only have 5 reduction on my AIs, so the chained ones all cost 24 mana. I wear studded armor. Reforged for HCI.
My swords look like this:
Slayer,
100% HML,
35% HLA,
25% DI,
rest in HSL (50something I think)
I am rarely below max mana or max stam.
I get a lot of value out of my shield slot though:
5 HCI,
15 DCI,
5 SSI,
25 DI.
I have made on TC a shield with, just not on production:
5HCI,
15DCI,
10SSI
30DI
This could then be enhanced with heartwood to get either another 5HCI or 10 DI, which would just be the bees knees.