[Xietor]

MA Shin has no infantry, has no mounted units, has no sacred units. Giving them a high cost infantry unit, with a mr of 8!!!, helps in part to restore the vague idea that is named "balance."

And, if their fatigue is left as is, adding the shield helps, but still leaves them as an overpriced, but very vulnerable infantry unit.

I do see the argument for leaving the Kappa as a niche unit. And I am not saying anything anyone said is "wrong."
But I am of the firm belief the race could use an upward tweak, and that was my suggestion.

I would raise their resource cost some, if a shield is added, but not a ton. Perhaps to 10.