the implementation of auto-attack was the most cost-effective way of getting rid of this mindless 111111 of buttonX smashing...

AOC has a pretty good fighting system (even though the game gets incredibly boring after hitting the cap).
But the system is one of the best i've seen so far in a mmo.
Since SE doenst want to change too much about the battle system (at least i think that- i still hope they surprise me with greater changes) it was the best way to go. And its coming anyways so...