Tbh with how absorb is i feel i was less spiky having more defense than i do currentlly (23.5%), so i would sit around 25% instead of having more absorb. I feel it made me less spiky having more defense, i know its not optimal but thats how i feel. But normally yes you're doing it right trying to stack all the absorb possible. FYI the difference between a full set of high endurance compared to high stat is 282 stat, 50 shield in exchange for 424 endurance

I think lambaste is just there to help aoe dps when spamming whirling blow once every 10 sec.....

I feel FB is fine in how it is and that the taking big hits and turning them into a dot would be awesome for shadows and would help for the spikyness by just making the damage take longer to hit. It shouldn't bring up any balance issues because you're not actually taking any less damage then you would normally be taking. This ability could work on a damage threshold mechanic or it could work off of some charge system, like you built charges from just going about your rotation and those charges would help smooth out your spikes.

TBH I thought you were crazy when you said that high stat gear was BiS because I have always been under the assumption that High end gear with stat augs was the way to go. That way you get a healthy balance between health and mitigation, but I've noticed while getting my 72's I've been trading defense for Abs and health and it makes me feel real squishy. I might actually pick up the high stat mantra (maybe if i get around to regearing). But i do have to say that if i didn't have all this hp terminate would 1 shot me 100% of the time unless i had a CD running, and thrasher could probably 2-3 shot depending on unlucky rng with those 15k swipes. I think having a skill like you said that turns giant hits into dots would be amazing, like any attack over Xk damage is turned into a dot. That shouldn't be hard to balance because you really aren't adding to their defensive ability, just making them a little smoother on the healing stage

-sigh-