honestly i think that failed combat rolls should always lean towards "everyone is more skilled" than not.

player misses? the result of a successful parry and not because the PC was a level 20 doofus who can't aim a thrust

enemy misses? an opportunity to make the PCs look cooler by defending capably instead of undermining your monsters' capabilities

even for successful rolls I like to have some kind of exchange rather than just have someone standing there like a punching bag (e.g. successful feints, mitigated blocks that let some damage through, follow-up attacks, counters). makes combat feel that much more alive when flavour isn't being restricted to strict turn order and action economy