Whether or not i-frames and backstabbing is cheap or lazy is debatable, but fixing that is far harder, than changing a few ++ in the code.You call it a "balance" issue, when it's not. It's a progression issue.
Also, Dark Souls and I-Frames are not balanced, nor is back-stabbing. They're cheap and lazy mechanics.
You paraphrased his words of frustration and cited them as not being "proper game development approach"... You wouldn't say that to someone who's not the game developer.
You also haven't shown where the actual dev has said anything remotely about "deal with it" in regards to the various grinds this game has.
never did i imply that dev said that. i said its not a good approach, which it is not.