how many threads need to be made before cmp actually changes something? It seems that he has no intention to change it... Clearly everyone just needs to send him forum messages asking him Politely and respectfully to adjust the kicking.
Well I don't think (and I don't think you meant it that way) that the amount of tears or complaints warrant something to be fixed. I think it's clearly borked by any common sense standards (compared to what kicks used to be anyways), and being able to block while kicking was much better than having a huge area of effect, longer kick duration than the animation and even the length/reach of the kick (not positive about the last one).
All risk no reward Butan? The reward is that you are able to get a hit on someone who was blocking your every swing up until that point. The risk is that you miss or they hit you before you get your kick off. Seems like a valid risk/reward to me. I just don't see the justification for area of effect, or the duration the kick is active for.
I think the old kick mechanic was best of both worlds. In theory being able to turn while kicking (even slightly) would be a possible trade off as well, I just think that it will be quite overpowered, and people with longer weapons obviously don't have to worry about it as much as other classes (basically only 1h's).