I'm playing the newest version as Berserker. I'm now at level 5 and has  3 skills, but when I engage in battle, the skills seems to be inactive, even after 2 or 3 turns. I still manage to fight with normal attacks, but I imagine it'll be difficult fighting the boss without using any skills. I'm not sure if it's a bug or a negative effect of a perk though. 

Defense Blow requires claymores or hammers equipped.

You should be able to use Prideful Roar though. My only guess is that you picked the Lennie Small perk.