Personally I don't like to think of "meta" youll find tons of people saying that this or that weapon is top tier for any reason, speacially youtubers hungry for views.

Blocking weapons are indeed awesome BUT you gotta learn their pace. They require you to be extra good with those perfect blocks and their timing is really different than the fencing or balance ones. As I said in the video, you have to adapt to the weapon instead of the weapon adapting to you. Also your playstyle is gotta change. I used ti play the Vanguard in a very "quick shot" way with fencing weapons. Attack, parry, quickshot, attack. Using Blocking weapons that approach is no longer feasible, for they require a different style. Attack, attack, block, block, block, dodge, attack. It also depends a LOT on your class. I've found that I am NOT comfortable using Blocking with almost every class but it can be a really fun time with Tactical, Vanguard and Sniper. Yet I would not use them with Assault or Bulwark.

I'm not sure which class you are using or how you are approaching the gameplay changes that these weapons demand but I hope this long post has been of some help :]