I think it would be better if this is added to the game so everyone gets used to it and community stays united, but also we must make sure melee changes don't effect linebattles and casual play in a negative way. If it is patch used only on some servers either it won't get used or it will divide community.
Edit: We would for example have 2 groupfighting servers, some events (this doesn't goes for casual linebattles but like tournaments and leagues) might use one module and other the second. Like changes aren't meant to be big but still noticeable.
For Drake
Drake I read your post like 4 times and I don't know what you are talking about for the most of your post. It is just some statements that are contradictory to each other or have no connection, unfinished statements ...
What first you say that ghost range might be a bug and than you say its true that its reason is slight disparity between animation of downstab and it's actual range.
Downstab wins ranging battle because it is so fast and you can react faster with footwork to manipulate opponent using slow upstab. In theory yes upstab has advantage in range but when everything is in motion downstab's speed allows you to win.
I don't mind downstab dominating close/medium range and after making the range shorter it still will because in close/medium range range doesn't have any effect just the speed that matters and downstab will still be faster. Making downstab shorter melee will in no way get slower.
About pokes that is exactly what is meant by saying stabilizing it: for pokes to make sense and get rid of the random ones, but I don't think this can realistically be done so I think completely removing them might still be a good option.
I don't know why you don't want health decreased? 25% is not that much and it is not even a final number.