1.) i am not sure. maybe your FPS is lower then theirs. seems the most likely. or maybe you trying to race a BArd with the movespeed song. or maybe someone is using Sprint.

2.)i can't imagine this happening. honestly why would you want this? only certain classes/job will be able to effectively duel. it's a Role Play Game and there is not intended to be balance in the first place. they would have to reconfigure the actions you are allowed to use. and/or reconfigure their effects too. and maybe even attempt to give some balance in core stats. and they would need to have multiple versions of everything. so this way you get dueling ring or arena. and the changed stuff will be activated.

3.) yeah sometimes this is normal. really bad stroke of luck. but don't feel bad. i have played games where an item hasn't dropped for two years. these things happen... unfortunately. played Everquest 2 and this happened with a weapon for my healer class. played the game for over 2 years. never once did i ever see it. but plenty of other players have it. RNG is RNG.