If I were some first-days alpha tester running some free-for-demo test version, I could consider a console command as a soon-to-be fixed issue, while still requiring some access ergonomy.
I admit Ylands is still an early access, but 1st person mode has worked awesomely since I bought the game and it has disappeared. Replacing the inactive shortcut key by its console command cannot be considered as a fixed issue, while it was said (on Steam) that this command was still to be used at player's risk, as it could entail bugs. The reason why the shortcut key was deactivated, I suppose.
As I am not an advanced user, I consider I don't have to use a console command while the command has been deactivated, even if the console command is still available. My solution remains to consider it is not fixed yet, and therefore I should not play as far as I can't make fun without 1st person mode.
This is not the main subject of the post, back to the main subject: Hit radius.
I understand your arguments about tools/weapons slay feature. As you're coming from ARMA community (which appears to be a COMBAT game), you sure have the experience of such request in a COMBAT game. I've tried to play some games as Life is Feudal, which was not clearly shown as a sandbox, but some survival game which was slightly evolving to a multiplayer RPG, where combat finally took over. And I left the game.
Should the debate turn to "Ylands, sandbox or multiplayer survival?", I would most regretfully choose the same: Leave definitely. I will probably not wait until some advanced modder removes the things that I don't like in the game if the destiny of the game is to turn to multiplayer combat functionnalities.
However, this is not the game that I bought. And there were no clear signs that Ylands was heading in this direction. Were they?