Appreciate the effort for this Jpec, I'm still learning! If I'm being honest, I don't 100% understand it all but I think I get the idea -- better if block/parry didn't compete with each other.

Tbh even if it is designed so you can only block or parry, I'm OK with that. Your idea sound great too though. Granted, if it stayed how it is, yes it probably should be buffed and higher than 35 points per % parry but that's where tuning and balance comes in. I left my PLD at 50 and pretty much only play DRK at this point, so I can't comment on the block/parry debacle.

Parrying feels great on my DRK when I MT though. Its not reliable on a single tank buster, but for multiple physical attacks or high attk speed boss combos it IS reliable imho. Again, I'm not advocating melding parry, but I do like the mechanic. Every MMO I've ever played has had parry in some form, surely there is a way to redevelop it in FFXIV and build abilities around it that are enjoyable.