I agree, a basic action or ability also has a long recast time which make it forgettable...

... plus the depriving of Guard from the gladiator class is confusing and consequentially decreasing my interest in leveling the class. Loosing the action of guard didn't need to happen while implementing auto-attack, it offered the ability to skill up and also see the class in action while using the shield. The way it is now, you don't even have a choice, you stole it!

BAD MOVE Square Enix, BAD move!