The XIV encounter recipe in a nutshell

[Havenchild]

we got them in DawnTrail. wasnt the inclusion of Wuk Lamat in virtually everything "new and exciting"?

It was!

We also did get new mechanics, like knockup mechs that check what direction you're facing, RNG-ish patterns, more continuous KB mechs, counting ‐ hit confirmation mechs, bait mechanics everyone does that have some RNG mixed in..

We can ask for more sure, but let's give them credit where it's due. This tier was not simply stack, spread, aoes, donuts etc