The blocking weapons are fun and the new changes make them useable but on a scale of 1-10 and having spent about a week using them non stop, give them a 5/10.

 Largely pointless ..... In light of parry.

It's not about been a meta slave. Only becoming the MOST effective killer and team mate possible. 

Here is what I have found / feel. The aoe effect should trigger after TWO blocks. The gun strike triggers after 1/2 parries and BREAKS the attack. It is naturally better as it stops the enemy attacking. The AOE is also strong. 

The nerf to fencing was not really needed and the blocking weapons still aren't as viable. The gun strike mechanic always felt more natural. 

The AOE should trigger after 2 blocks. 

The orange attacks should be blocakble if perfect blocked with glowing gloves. 1 hit charges the gloves and can now block orange attacks. 2 hits can block orange attacks while doing minor AOE damage. 3 hits does a good AOE damage after blocking orange moves and loses charge ECT ECT . 

Make fencing great and blocking better (so no nerfing one tonkae the other more attractive) which didn't and doesn't work. 

Peace!!!!