My sword and shield will draw together UNLESS I switch to a bow, then back to sword, at which point the shield will not be drawn. Is this a bug, or is there a way to ensure that sword+shield are always drawn together?

I have the same problem, my friend.

i was just about to post a question about this too.

its super anoying.

also, why doesnt the shield reside in the same quickslot as the weapon? seems dumb to make it take up its own slot...and would also fix this issue id think.

a shield should be able to be stacked in a hotslot with a 1hander. Its super annoying to have to take up a quickslot for the shield and make sure I re-equip after using a rifle.

Same problem here, super annoying. Fix it please PB.

Same here, make it to where a shield can be dropped on a sword hotkey.
Draw bow, fire.
Quick switch to sword and board? Problem with the existing system for sure.
Especially when time critical combat progresses to HtH.
Fumbling around for a number key to equip a shield is too much wasted time when a beast typically makes a bone-crushing charge in its first round.

Is this so hard to code?
How many other games have this feature?
Like all of them?

Combat is kind of clunky as well. Stuttering and awkward.
Add to that poor companion AI. How many times does a flamethrower need to be fired at a rock? Thereby knocking my own character down. At least PSI weapon attacks don't damage a companion.

So if you use a bow, then use a 2-handed sword as backup.