Adding shields was a good idea since they are available on Badlion, however, a reasonable amount of players still play on 1.8.9, and so it isn't unreasonable to make them able to appear universally, regardless of if you actually are holding a shield or not. Many badlion players who are now using lunar are used to having shields regardless, if I understand correctly. Having to actually have the item equipped is something specific only to this cosmetic but having it that way doesn't appeal to everyone. (It's not that way for any other cosmetic).
#Shields 1.8.9
umbral edge
oak mica
lucid bane
there could also be a setting to use the shield for the blocking animation instead of the sword
that setting could have 3 modes: disabled, first person and everyone
umbral edge
there could also be a setting to use the shield for the blocking animation inste...
I'm guessing this is probably the easiest thing to implement considering currently they ended up being more of a visual overhaul than a cosmetic if ykwim (which technically all of them are but in this sense it's different) But yeah a setting makes sense considering the current shield cosmetic model configuration is already in circulation, and you know people who obviously don't want this can as you suggested, just disable it.
sleek fulcrum
Literally most players still use 1.8, they should put it for these versions as well
And more people would buy the cosmetic
viscid roost
trueeeee!
scenic mica
solid knoll
+1
stray jay
+1
teal turret
+1
mental heart
+1