Would just give it the same skill as mara in polarm then buff shield skill to 9 or buff throwing to make it in-between Marra/Halb and Mp.
Then becomes a choice of 1 very good polarm and atm some hero locked armours vs good shield skill and its own not as practical but still very good polarm.
I feel like you could nerf mara's throwing maybe making it a class many for slashing vs being able to do both more than fine.
Also be interesting if you made vagabond usable by hoplite as well or just give it its own things.
Then becomes a choice of 1 very good polarm and atm some hero locked armours vs good shield skill and its own not as practical but still very good polarm.
I feel like you could nerf mara's throwing maybe making it a class many for slashing vs being able to do both more than fine.
Also be interesting if you made vagabond usable by hoplite as well or just give it its own things.