I know this skill receives quite a bit of bad rep because of it's pacification affliction, but I really have to say the skill is extremely useful for holding hate and dealing some damage.
Every since Cadence was changed to increase the enmity of your next ability and player accuracy was increased, the usefulness of Riot Blade has become more apparent.
Also, in regards to pacification, sure it can suck depending on what you're fighting. But by the time you reach another 2000 TP (or 3000 if you stack it with Bloodbath), your pacification timer will be up.
I wouldn't be saying this if I hadn't used it in a meaningful fight, so I took the tactic into the Ifrit (Hyper) fight. It performed extremely well and there was never an issue with hate.
The damage is good but not really game breaking. But in this case, you aren't using it for the damage, you use it for the "increases enmity" effect. This effect, linked with Cadence, is an absolutely wonderful combo. Toss in Bloodbath to get a fair return on HP. (Again, not game breaking and not necessary.)
I would invite Gladiators all around to give Riot Blade another shot, since recent adjustments have really made it worth using.
Full Riot Blade Strategy
Thank you for reading.
-Ale