I like the *idea of* weapon skills. It adds some much need flexibility to D&D 5e martial characters (insert: "the default fighter should have access to battlemaster maneuvers" popular claim). However, I disagree with much of Larian's specific decisions regarding them: they're either too powerful or practically useless. Balance is important: the weapon abilities should be equal or only slightly more powerful than a default attack, but useful in different situations (e.g., A Spear's Charge helps you to reach a distant enemy and attack them, but you take a -2 to AC on the next attack against you because you've overextended yourself).
Also, Larian really needs to do a better job explaining what all their homebrew weapon-attack status affects do. Again I advocate for an in-game glossary and/or pop-up explanations when you hover over Game Terms.
I agree with most of the rest of your critiques, except for the tiefling thing. They *should* ask us for help, otherwise most people won't help them. Players should have to make a conscious decision to not respond to a plea for help. It's fine, even good that other companions disapprove of your desire to help them.
