Good post OP.
With the introduction of Trust system and simplification of combat/gameplay, seems like the devs want to slowly convert this into a semi single-player MMORPG. Unless you go to EX and Savage Trials, we might as well play with bots now.

Also same, used to like tanking very much before ShB because of those enmity control, now the role is so braindead I might fall asleep mid fight. Not to mention the issue with self-sustain healing too *cough*WAR*cough*.