I started combat with cranial vs. a mob; I got no special messages about eyes popping or anything, and for the rest of the fight, I was unable to use cranial at all due to him being "dazed already". If I don't start with it, and just use it in combat, it works like one would expect... is this how it's supposed to be these days?

Cranial as an opener is like blackjack and gives them the same kind of protection