1. Nope!
2. N/A
3. My impression is they are mostly boolean-like tools for cutting geometry into surfaces, or combining multiple objects closely to look like a single contiguous object; i.e., kitbashing.
4. For me the most difficult part is adding fine details in confined areas of a mesh without creating over-dense geometry problems in other areas of the mesh where things need to stay smooth and regular, in a way that doesn’t result in subsurf shading irregularities. Right now the best way I have of doing that is through liberal use of the shrinkwrap modifier, but I’d like to learn how to do it without shrinkwrap where possible.
5. Mostly how they can help with the above problems! I don’t have MUCH trouble modeling the small-scale details themselves; it’s integrating them into the larger model that I need to work on.
