That is exactly what it's like. I was very disappointed that none of the PCs were willing to look at the book. Just because it had a somewhat confusing sigil on it. Pfeh.

I stole the house rule from some thread somewhere or other on making starting PCs competent. I also stole the trick of giving them higher quality weapons, which improve the chance to hit. I have no shame, and I prefer kick ass PCs, because it's dull when they're wary.