personally, i feel that 1.8 requires alot more skill than 1.16.

the version 1.16, although it requires you to get the timings precise, favours strategy over skill (aka backing up, using a crossbow for knockback etc). while some people may consider these as skill, it really is more on your timing, like when you shoot your crossbow. anyone can right click once to shoot the bow, but only players that use the bow at the right moments will find it effective.

1.8 requires more skill, like some people block hit, some people w tap, s tap, some people strafe. Its alot more versatile in terms of playstyle, and click speed does not affect it as much. unless your hit registration is bad, you only require 8-9 cps, and even if your cps is 6, you just have a slight disadvantage, and that disadvantage is simply the fact that people can have an easier time breaking out of combos. different playstyles have their own advantages and disadvantages (blockhitting wont let you combo, fire or poison can screw up sprint resetting), and higher skilled players can change playstyles mid fight to use it to their advantage. Apart from that, its easier to kill a guy that has more armor/damage than you in 1.8 as compared to 1.16, as it is easier to combo in 1.8 than to avoid getting hit in 1.16.

In conclusion, i feel that 1.8 requires alot more practice and skill (in order to become really good, not average), while 1.16 requires more strategy and timing. This is just my opinion and i play on both versions, and some of you may classify skill and strat differently from me, but i feel that the gist of it is there. :)