Ahh I know they trigger, I just never notice it taking any less hits to kill a zombie with power attack or not. Thats why I assumed that debuff just doesn't apply to zombies properly, in the base game the club crit doesn't seem to do anything to zombies either. Yeah though thats a better way to do it as that way it actually seems to work properly in game.
Might start a new game, and go Athlete/trader/crafter. Athlete and trader are too useful to not use them. Can you learn all classes eventually? if so what are the bonuses like when all are mastered?
Lastly is it intended to be able to level up say tool/weapon smith very fast by damaging then repairing stuff? Like take 8 stone axes put em on your bar, hit something with each of them once, then repair all 8, watch the skill shoot thru the roof.