The bleeding stanza - this is not gratuitous swearing :)

[gaspode1]

Can anyone refresh my memory about the message you get saying something like 'your target is bleeding massively'. I have a vague recollection it meant something like all attacks after that message would be max damage or the target couldn't avoid being hit or something like that. On the other hand an old man's memory could just be playing tricks and the message means something completely different.

Hope someone can help

[riveit]

Can anyone refresh my memory about the message you get saying something like 'your target is bleeding massively'.

It just means that your target is taking some damage over time whether you hit anymore or not. The message tells you how much damage. For those other effects, you need stuns or criticals strikes or somesuch.