Button consolidation would open the door to more options though. Is it really different different to hit 1-2-3, 1-2-4, 1-5, 1-2-6 for combos than it is to hit 1-1-1, 1-2-1, 1-2, 1-2-2?

You do that and suddenly you can add in more abilities without bloating the hotbar and actually have more options, there is honestly 0 skill in knowing stagnant combos that always take the same route, so why not consolidate those abilities into 1 button so that more can be added?