May have been changed after my time too.
Tbh, DCUO was actually one of the more fun and skill-based combat systems i've encountered in an MMO, with blocks being carefully timed to deflect damage and attacks designed to break the guard. Drogbatime and me grinded to max level and trolled the shit out of various superhero bases, then Vermilion started and dueled Drogba (when Vermi was really low level) and he nearly won through well timed blocks alone. In that sense it was really good.
Just funny to see that combat system again after so long. If it gets western release without cat-people i may give it a shot.
Yeah, DCUO combat actually required some skill, with active blocking and block breaking, it was fun. This seems to be about the same, being action combat and all. At least the warrior class (the one with shield) seems to have an active block and in GvG/siege videos you can actually see shield walls forming. Check here:
"To clarify, having your shield up drains your stamina. Actively blocking drains your stamina even faster. So once you end up without stamina, you stop raising your shield and blocking. Stamina is the white little bar that you see running out."
There also seem to be grabs and knockdowns which will spice up the combat.
As for Black Desert races:
Currently there are three confirmed races in Black Desert: Human, Elf, and Giant. Two classes under discussion of the development team are Dwarf and Hobbit, but they have not been implemented. It is unclear at this time if classes will be race-restricted.So they're not going the usual KR route with races, at least.