...And why would it be difficult to promote version 3? (actually, it's already difficult to promote it here, but I'm interested in why, and I don't understand why) if it offers more features, expansions, fixes, and conveniences compared to 2.98 AND without changing the gameplay???

Well, if you react strongly to unsubstantiated conclusions, you'll drive yourself crazy. Everything is progressing, and everyone is interested. The topic is one of the most active online (look at the number of views). You just introduced a surprise into the game, then removed it, and it wasn't even discussed. In essence, you introduced new rules for a certain period and then canceled them. That's exactly how it looks. Players are naturally wary.
There is still a lot of work to be done. Both on fixing bugs in SoD and the mod itself, and on adding functionality.

...right now, double-clicking here is as "heroic" as in the scenario/save selection window - 400 ms between clicks. You can reduce this interval - it will be more difficult to accidentally double-click.
Or another solution - add a 'Learn' button under each skill.

The second option seems more efficient. In this context, something occurred to me. Sometimes, in the last seconds, you take Pandora with experience, but you can't select which skills to acquire because the turn changes, and it assigns what the computer deems necessary, not you. The same situation occurs when you are given troops in a crate, but then you risk losing those troops. I would like the option to choose skills/troops to appear.

Added 22 minutes ago

Are you sure? People are still playing 2.94 quite comfortably and aren't too concerned about updating.

You must have missed something or not read carefully. In this version, the starting options are formed mutually according to the log. You simply won't be able to play with what you want. But you will have to play with what your opponent might choose. And this case applies to the third, controversial option.

Well, try explaining this to someone who doesn't care whether it's a bug or not and who wants to play as they're used to, but with added conveniences. You've been playing with gems in the nagabank for many years; how many followers do you have?

Once, I even kept statistics on who had what in their nagabanks. But, essentially, it wasn't that important to the players. Only when playing as the Tower could there be problems if I wasn't the one generating the resources. But that was only in the CM, and besides, when was that? Time doesn't stand still; a lot changes. Now, I don't even notice what resources are in the nagabank. By the way, in the mod, in the Russian megapack, there are gems. Convenience is about comfort. Comfort comes from easy settings, from friendly opponents who will want to/help you deal with settings, installation, and connection.