Yes points in shield are needed getting weapon and shield to 8 is plenty for the start then get other skills to 8.

Often you will hear to max out weapons first but from my own experience that is not needed unless you do a crazy speedbuild with activity levels like 9 and 10.
So other skills will help you more for the time beeing.

Anyway start of without a shield cause before you don't have some defense on your gear and some points into shield parry style will not work well.