More illustrated fights?

[Mere]

not only would that require pouring a lot of resources into making it worthwhile, but this is not an action combat type of mmo. In other words, as of now, that kind of intelligent combat just doesn't work with the FFXIV style.

Nah, parry/block only requires an animation to be played whenever a parry/block occurs... which DO happen in game (quite frequently acually).

If you play pld, you hear a metal clash sound whenever you block with your shield, and if I remember correctly, is also accompanied with an animation of your char blocking with the shield... not really sure atm cuz I'm usually spamming weapon skills and that might override the blocking or make it go unnoticed. But the block sound is indeed there (I love that sound) xD