So many skills all with so many effects. It's very off putting to a beginner like me, I don't know what's going on most of the time

Eh, yeah some times it's easier to just focus on the hit-effect of the abilities and with time (when you get used to it) you start paying more attention to the side/stacking effects they cause.
Good example of this is the Astronomer, at 1st just focus on healing and stuning the enemies, but once you master the special effects of his abilities you can just do 1v3 and win
My IGN is JMPanty, I just made a guild, let's see how it goes in the next days
Edit: remember, unlike other games, BC doesn't send a friend request, instead, both players have to type each other's name and add.