What makes the combat of Dark Souls so special according to soulsdrones?

>>384713645
It's not special. It ties the whole experience together by making the player feel like they're overcoming odds that are stacked against them, which is the only functional role it plays. Stamina management isn't that complex or groundbreaking.

because "other ARPGs" is synonymous with button mashing garbage

It's not. 100% of the fun is figuring out the lore and overcoming the challenges (which ain't even hard as people say they are) without looking at guides.

The combat and the gameplay are decent at best.

>>384713645
Weight.

For me it's the stratification of it's defensive mechanics. You have safe (blocking), unsafe (rolling), and daring (parrying) ways of avoiding damage. A player makes will naturally progress through them and find it more rewarding in terms of success and fun as they do.