I like most of these ideas they definitely should be looked at. I also think it would be cool if mobs had weak spots, such as when you attack a crab you can't hit it on its shell you have to stand right in front of it to do good damage. As a Bard/Ranger you can get the high ground so to speak and do more damage from elevated locations. Systems that worked in XI were running on fafnirs feet to prevent certain actions happening etc. I think making the battle more interesting then pressing 1-10 would make the game much more awesome.