from what I've observed the direction the figure goes changes depending on the orientation of the figure, sometimes i roll the Y panel and it twists like I expect, but sometimes it diagonally rotates almost spuratically, there seems to be almost NO consistency can someone either help me figure it out, or offer an alternative (other than those imprecise mouse icons)

OK, I'm not sure what you mean by Y "panel", but if you're referring to the yRot (or yRotation) in the Parameters panel, then I think I know what's going on.

I've seen something like this when the "origin" point isn't in the right place, and the rotation occurs from where, and how, that origin point is set up.

Unfortunately I can't offer any further help, as I don't know exactly what item you're referring to, or whether it's the same item that's rotating in two different ways, or two different items.

Yes its confusing for me too. From observation It seems the yRotate always rotates around the figure's local yaxis but x and z appear rotate around scene axis. Selecting a prop or a figure's hip its easier to see if the "show origin" property is set but for an whole figure the origin is at the feet somewhere so much harder to check.

The Rotation dials can get confused when something is rotated along a particular axis in such a way that it aligns with another axis. This is known a Gimbal Lock. To get round it you can use the Direct Manipulation tool, or parent the prop/figure/object to a primitive and rotate that instead.

If you want to understand Gimble lock look at this: See this