I think its an insult to compare this game to clang, clang isn't even close to an actual game its just a failed tech demo. One thing that impresses with LiF when you watch video is just how much content is for "pre-alpha", all those buildings/skills etc.
I agree theorycrafting a game is the easy part, but I honestly don't think clang even succeeded at that. it was quite obvious to me from the start that this was a flawed concept, eloquently sold by that writer chap. If you want 1v1 realistic swordfighting, you just go to a fencing/kendo class.