Hero Class - Legionnaire

[iBlue]

Seems all i am doing is asking questions  8)
I'm so cool! (not?)

Can anyone that knows from experience tell me more about the class?
I understand 8 shielding is a considerable step-up from commando and same as a hybrid but how do these guys do soloing hard mode for example. Is it possible/ viable?
My main is infantry at commando and i've pretty much fully embraced shielding (Some of you may have seen me do it once or twice already now) but having someone that can play hardmode alone to populate the server for instance is pretty lucrative. Not to mention the increased amount of loot you get going solo and not being useless in kitting games of archers and skirmishers. I intend to get 2 infantry and a warden probably in the not so near future considering all the grind i'll have to go trough. Should i go for the shielder vocation or perhaps the legionnaire giving me substantially more flexibility on my main while grinding away the archer for the farming.
Also, which is the stronger solo? Archer or Skirmisher?
I'll appreciate the input.