[2020] Is shield nerf really a nerf?

After a long time break from mordhau, i came back to find that all shields were parry aids, like buckler. After a bit of testing i found you could hold the shield up, just slowly. But the thing is, when i hold shields up, i lose 2-4 stamina per hit, and it auto ripostes, so, did shields get nerfed or buffed?