Shields and Power "handedness"

Recently, I had an idea for a character concept I found interesting, and went to see if I could create it. My character concept called for him to carry a shield while using spines. Unfortunately, I know Spines are not available to a Tanker (which is what I really wanted him to be), but I thought that creating him as a Scrapper wouldn't be too bad. Sadly, I learned that you cannot select both Spines and Shields.

Since the shields animate as attached to the left forearm, I can understand the "greying out" of an attack powerset, like katana - the thought being that you can't effectively use a weapon in the same hand. But other than Battle Axe and War Mace, every other melee powerset has at least one attack that utilizes both hands. (Honestly, even those two have animations that include the left hand - Taunt, if nothing else.)

This leads me to my question. What is the justification for not allowing a character to use Shields and Spines at the same time? Is there some actual REASON for it, animation-wise (and please don't say "clipping issues," as there are a MILLION clipping problems that ARE allowed), or is it that there is some overlap of the powersets that would make a character using both powersets to be overly-powerful?

I just hate to lose an interesting character concept, for no good reason.

They don't actively try to create clipping issues, and some of the animations look wrong, like ripper, wearing a shield.

Probably the same reason you can't use Dual Blades or Claws with a shield: it uses an attack stance that requires both hands. Those 2-hands sets require the 'nodes' on both hands, leaving no 'node' on the character to hold a shield.

Also, it's probably not accidental that Claws and Spines are terrific AoE sets that would synergize well -- perhaps too well -- with Shield's Against All Odds damage bonus. It would certainly be either almost overpowered or completely overpowered, depending on your point of view. That may or may not have occurred to the Devs, but I assume it's part of the reason.

you know, its probably for the sole reason that Quills + AAO would be so friggen rediculous...

Ehh id go for a funny looking toon just have a claws/sheild scrapper

Besides, Energy Transfer looks so ridiculous on a sheilder, we should at least be able to have eviscerate

A way arround this that i could see would be having a shield fixed to the back of each arm, that way it wouldn't interfere with the weapons. although it would be quite stupid and not worth the time spent working it into the game. Claws and stone armour on the other hand...

Ps: on the subject of overpowering. AAO + rage = 90%+ damage bonus all the friggin time!!! plus the stackable mag 3 stuns, holds and the knockback that Super Strength has kinda adds to that...