BMAX is more complicated for beginners than B3D. All those modules, all the options, plus OOP makes it more difficult for those who never programmed anything before.
I've recently got into Max, and as a beginner would have to agree the amount of options are somewhat difficult to work out. I'm actually happy with the CE version of the Ide for now because at least it keeps the options to a bare minimum! That said, I knew BlitzMax would be more complex because it's more flexible than B3D, so I won't say that's a problem with it. Also, with regards to OOP, I found while scripting in Flash OOP principles absolutely rock, so I know that bit of extra learning is going to make things better down the track.
...DOCS are BAD
That really is my problem. The docs are awful. Really, really awful. For a beginner they're borderline impossible to follow. B3D's docs weren't great either, but at least I could find the functions I was after. With Max's docs it feels as though they were written for people who've many years of programming experience (and exposure to the many programming standards, terms, etc) behind them. If I could ask for one improvement to Max it'd be with the docs. Bad docs make it half impossible for beginners to learn the language, make it hard for people to get in and get something done quickly, and make learning the language frustrating. Why the BRL crew haven't figured this out yet makes me shake my head at times.
BlitzMax desperately needs properly laid out docs, and properly written code examples. If BRL need to hire someone that's especially gifted at teaching to arrange everything and teach on the language, they should do it. Trauling forums for the understanding of basic functions is an incredibly poor substitute to proper documentation.