but even with just the character movement I think I would find a gamepad probably had better control and would be easier on my hands/wrists.
Yes, good idea. Assuming it's an option for PC and if my gamepad is responsive enough I may likely just play it that way.
FPS games have been doing this for as long as I can remember, its not hard to switch skills/weapons using WASD, trust me, I play them all the time.
That's probably why it's easy for you.

I very rarely play games with these controls, so really I'm just griping about being pushed out of my comfort zone.