It's no secret that fending accessories are kind of weak. High level encounters have a heavy emphasis on DPS, and in nearly all cases melded accessories give you enough HP to survive tank busters while giving a substantial strength boost.

Right now, compared to 150 melded, a full set of 210 fending gives

+100 VIT = +2050 HP (food/party bonus not factored in)
-155 STR
Increased secondary stats

I don't think the tradeoff is worth it. I don't recall having ever used Fending accessories for progression (though I probably stuck them in there once or twice while feeling out a fight), always opting for the lower level melded stuff instead and then outright slaying gear once we had it completely on farm.

Let's brainstorm some ways to make unmeldable fending accessories more attractive. One simple solution I think might work is to give them defense and magic defense. That way, they actually make you tougher and maybe let your healers pick up some of the DPS you're dropping.

Other possibilities
-reduce chance to be crit (1% per piece?)
-flat mitigation
-free parry on every piece (so 3 substats, max parry, max X, sub Y)

What would you like to see on fending accessories?