You should always be using a shield or offhanding gaps or other utility like a trident or bow, never a totem (except for crystal obviously). Shielding is insane at saving armour durability, breaking out of a combo; in most smp combat you should always have a shield.
Technoblade: this is how you can be like me in one really easy step #1 Don't Suck ALRIGHT THYSM FOR WATCHING AND HAVE FUN I DID NOT JUST CLICKBAIT YOU CAN;T PROVE IT BYYYYYE-
I kinda know the eat two golden apple trick in Minecraft pvp,i mean in game,I guess,and also,I often wear diamond armor in pvp battles so that I not get hit so much times that easily,I mean in game,I guess,and I often win PvP battles ,I guess,I mean in game,I guess,but might be because I am experienced and pro Minecraft player,I mean in game,I guess
i use SZXC ._. i have seen someone uses IJKL, wich confuses me soo much if u wanna switch smth else other than WASD then i recomend usin SZXC, and heres why, u will able to use A, D, W, E, R as quick hotkey, u can change E to V and to zoom u use B, it helped me alot, please dont send hate comment, bcuz thats my recommended type of alternative WASD