CS Hero

50 CS/42 Shield is arguably the strongest spec for a Hero. As you mentioned, LW has Annihilation. It's a powerful style and gives that weapon line a slight growth rate advantage, but CS has an equally strong follow-up style on its side chain and back positional snare. The snare in particular is invaluable, and for me, tips the scale towards CS despite a minor damage disadvantage that is hardly noticeable. It still hits like a truck, especially against chain wearers who are common targets.

Blades/Parry can start at 38/10 and drop down to 34/20 at RR6. This realm rank is easier to attain on Phoenix. The goal is a composite of 50 for your one-handed weapon line. 34, +11 from items, and +1 per realm rank beginning at RR2, meaning +5 at RR6.

Do note that LW and CS don't actually benefit from blades, piercing, or blunt - these weapon lines don't affect damage variance on LW or CS at all. The point is simply to provide an acceptable damage alternative when you're on guard/peel duty and must keep your shield out, or while tanking and taunting in PvE.

One caveat in favor of LW is its 9sec back stun negating the necessity of a shield slam, meaning your damage on that hit will be much higher. So if there's anything swaying you to LW, that should be the reason. There's a benefit to the frontal snare too - if a big stun-immune troll is trying to get in your face, the LW Hero can pull off their snare with ease while a CS Hero may be unable to successfully reposition for their back snare. All in all, however, that back snare is still better, because you're most often pursuing an enemy that's targeting your back line or fleeing. I would rather lodge a spear up their butt and deny any escape.