Not to start a flame war here. Just to discuss the options.

I might be too focused on the problem and did not look at the whole picture. Statistically, I don't recall losing any of my matches due to fear. Sometimes, I even want them to fear me. So I take less damage when spreading out (30% dmg reduction when feared). I am having trouble staying alive when cleave team melee AOE me. Since all my guys are standing together facing one direction, when they run in and melee AOE, I have to either turn or move, avoid damage is only one of the reason. More importantly I have to make sure my guys are facing the melee. This turning and facing takes time. I think stoneclaw buys some precious time for me. Combined with divine sacrifice, I am buying a few seconds that I don't have to worry about dying. Around 1500, no teams are dumb enough to take me head on. They come from behind and start with CC. When I am heavily CCed, they start their AOE game.

Now if you are saying you can just instantly kill the melee , no need to move at all, or you can move turn and face in less than 1 GCD, or even your gear and healer are good enough to keep you alive. Then by all means, add more dps, reduce that CD on TS.

So the question is how exactly do we deal with melee. Veteran boxers seemed to have mastered it. Please share the wisdom.

For the record, I've been TS + root these guys. But paladin with freedom, rog lock down, and warrior with shield always have their way with me. and I've been dropping stoneclaw all this time to buy time.