Technically the North American release for D2:ED is Jan 5th, but in the US Gamestop and Best Buy have started selling it early.
I did all the quests and defeated all the monsters in BD in the main game. I skipped most of the monsters and all dungeons in the battlefields, and just visited there for the merchants. I only played a bit in the after-game BFs.
With Samuel's guards, you can also take the stairs out to heal, etc, and return to the fight.
I'm pretty sure there are only 4 guards in hardcore, as well; they are just a little tougher.
