A lot (if not all) of the current battle mechanics still revolve around the battle system that they had in Alpha.

With the combat revamp, I do hope they take into account situational skills, and triggered responses.

I would like to see "Guard" become a more passive type ability and put more focus on actual shield skills than worrying about keeping your shield arm up. Maybe rework it so that if you "auto block" like Reika suggested, that "Guard" increases your change to block at the cost of movement speed, or even "Root" you into place while it is active.

While all we can do is speculate or express wishes of the new system, we should continue to do so to give the devs as many ideas as possible. Not only for immediate system changes, but things that can be implemented over time. Or even mechanics for new classes.

But I agree with Reika, Shield blocking should be automated so we can focus on the excitement of battle, instead of the micromanaging of defensive abilities.