If by defensive you mean keeping you alive, then yes, its defensive, but it's one where it would benefit you more if you went offensive rather than defensive. Reason? A dual wield set up will do at the very very least, 50% extra damage compared to one with shield (the dps change will probably be closer to 100% increase, due to the increased number of offensive abilities that are available AND the ones you are using). So by that estimate, you will need to take at least 50% more damage from your for tanking to be more usable for survivability. I am not aware of any fight that is the case. If the SS healing completely cancels out the damage taken, then obviously the Dual wield will win, because he/she will kill 33% more bosses in the same time the Sword and Board will kill. Hence, Offensive setups, as it stands, is superior to any defensive setup, SS, ironically for defensive prayer, actually helps offensive hold that position