Shield Swapping

Most caster builds suggest that you have at least 8 shields for spike prevention. Can someone clarify me how they swap those shields so quickly when they only have 4 weapon slots?

Open inventory, double click shield. Usually you won't have more than one weapon slot with a shield on. Just pick the one that will benefit the most.

the best way is to have a pve char with different shield skins that you will memorize which ones do what after a while. usually i have my F1-4 on negative, shield set, 40/40, +15/30, respectively.

my pve monk has different shield skins for each damage type so its easy to just open your inventory to the 8 bag slot and have all the shield just sitting there waiting to be swapped. for a pvp char i would suggest either all physical damage be one type of shield and all elemental be one type or just have the 4 different shield skins (using each skin twice).

Well essentially, to answer your question... Bring the 8 shields... one vs everytype of damage.

Most spikes you fight against won't have more than 1 type of damage, so when you see the team and know what they are running, thats your shield for that match. But for balanced... its pure experience and judgement... if 2 axe warriors won't get off of you..+10vs slashing is your friend...its judgement essentially.

But as far as other things are concerned... there is other things for consideration:
When retreating... Crip shot rangers will try and slow you down, 20% crip reduction.
You are scrimming or on a split and you are fighting a sword warrior and a ranger... piercing or slashing armor will be best...

You basically have those shields to choose from, but experience and practice at swapping will just make it 2nd nature.

I have one shield slot on my sets. I typically change the shield on that set at the beginning of a match to whatever poses the most threat on the other team. Occasionally I will switch it again if I'm spending a lot of time on a split against different threats. Switching to a piercing shield at VoD would be a good idea, though I rarely remember to. Basically just pick a shield for the opposing team build and don't think about it too much.

changing shields are abit too overrated

I have five req8 tactics shields with different inscriptions on my Mo/W, so I have 4s of disciplined stance at tactics8 (breakpoint) and the full 16 armor from the shield. This saves enough attrib points to increase divine by +1.