Smash time debuffs are useless if smash kills the mob, as it usually does. Assault Slash splash scatters mobs and barely deals damage. Charge is the same, although decent for giants. The final hit change is likely to be useful, but it's unlikely people will invest into dual-wielding for it. The same is true for Giant Full Swing. It's not that I'm asking for free massive buffs to all melee skills, I just don't see people dropping their lances for these gimmicks.
The update is in the right spirit but so far it completely falls flat on its face. There's three major problems here; lances are still far stronger, most mobs in which the control effects work on are liable to die too easily, and summon AoE pet effects are still by far the best for control. I do appreciate the attempt though.
We could certainly use something like this for archery, but applying a chance of debuffs with magnum or splashes on skills isn't going to change anything. They've made lots of promises but words are cheap, I'll be awaiting results. It's still early, maybe they'll pull a rabbit out and actually make non-lance weaponry competitive.
They really need to nerf the piercing stat. It's far too powerful and centralizes the metagame.
The Bhafel Slayer can reach 5 pierce, it may be a fair compromise.