1. In regards to NR builds:
Yes, using a shield could be more or less considered for this (or almost any build). I never include shields because generally players have an idea if they're going to use a shield or not before they begin a build. And yes, you are correct, I probably should have included an exception for keeping 14 Strength. Honestly, I often use shields because I whore parries.
2. In regards to ToB:
It's never going to be exactly double, but it's not really optimized for aiming for SL 120 without considerable sacrifices to Vitality. I also left this somewhat open-ended hoping that someone would sooner or later provide a proven ToB Push PvP build (thus why I said I may outline a build later). Also, looking at diminishing stats to determine where you should stop putting points into something is a mixed bag. Dex's biggest gains are from like 20-30, but people usually got to 50 for obvious reasons… mainly, the gains are still good enough to sink points into.
3. Poison vs. Plague:
If I had to choose a single Negative Status weapon today, I'd choose Nail. That's why I include it in most standard equipment on builds and not Mercury weapons. However a 1 slot spell, and Kunai means you probably shouldn't discount Poison entirely. I use Kunai to this day to jam heals.
4. In regards to Flamberge:
It's just not that good. If I want to use a Large Sword I will stick with Claymore, and a different build. The range makes a large difference, and it's what makes Claymore superior. Again, the only reason I didn't slam it completely is because it has different upgrade paths. But, just because a weapon does more damage does not make it exclusively better then it's peers. There's no reason not to use it if you really desire a Sharp Flamberge, but I'd rather just play with a Crushing/Blessed Claymore on a different build, and stuff like Katanas/Sais/Secret Dagger on a Dexterity build.
5. In regards to backstep R1:
Most people with even a shred of intuition will figure this out on their own (but I'm still getting plenty of emails, messages, and other suggestions being like "why didn't you include random swing X on weapon Y?"). Also, since the sprint attack on GAxe is horribly slow, I don't actually find it to be that good personally. You gotta' remember, I'm doing the best I can with what I know here… and although some of it is mathmatical certainties, a lot of it is just discussion designed to push people in the proper direction, and give them some objective oppinions.
True PvP can never be definite. There are always going to be plenty of variables that are hard to account for, and trying to dissect every single one is probably not a good idea. I actually trimmed a lot of this kind of stuff out.