The problem I see with removing/changing "lolstabs" is that some of these players and weapons need the close-range stab to play effectively. Personally, I don't have too much of an issue with it. I can block, kick, do some footwork, drag the opponent to a teammate, into view of an archer, etc. Yes, it can be silly when an awlpike does a crazy dance move to get a stab in, but without that he'd just die.
the problem I do have is the double-thrust due to polestagger allowed with the awlpike and some other poles, but that's another issue altogether.
When I play my hoplite, I turn away from my opponent, launch an attack, and spin back to my opponent's face. This is the only reliable way I can do an attack without glancing at close range. If he blocks it, he gets a swing, which I block. The process can repeat until my shield breaks, one of us screws up, I put my shield away, or someone else interrupts. I don't see a problem here.
Also, I though this was a core engine issue and could not be dealt with based on the endless threads regarding this "issue"?