The issue isn't solely in what the player is capable of. Example, i like guns in Live, even without reforges and enchants. They're not the most OP thing ever, but good at dealing with trash mobs. However, even their short stun time can still be abused in high end, in groups, against even some of the scariest enemies.
https://puu.sh/w4ASA.gif (think the gif's just too big so have a url)
The issue lies in that the players get constantly buffed, while the existing content is
BARELY tweaked at all. There are plenty of things in mabinogi's live that has potential, or that could be tweaked to be made better balanced with the rest of the game, but nexon doesn't care and players enjoy being overpowered anyway, so nothing is ever done.
Take sharp mind's removal in live, and look at things like goblins, or red town rats in ciar adv. They will load smash, then WALK to you rather than run. It's because the player isn't supposed to see their skill like 80% of the time, so this is a valid strategy. If you pay attention to their skill load time, you'll know what they're doing even though you can't see the skill. Otherwise, you'd want to do N+bolt or counter, so whether they do defend or smash either one you won't be too heavily punished.
I'd honestly be fine with dynamic combat, but i'd definitely expect an AI re-balance to go with it. I feel it a necessity for the mobs to appropriately keep up with the players without sucking the fun out of it.
_________________________
Discord: Tonkatunk#7079
https://github.com/Tonkatunk/Mabi-Pro-Lazyfae-Mods