I am not sure if this problem is a "bug" or just poor planning. (Though I do know that this may be more about game theory than programming.) I hope the other users here can help figure out a solution.
In good game design, player agency, the player feeling like their actions are what causes the results in the game, is extremely important. Having a game where you lose no matter what you do is no good.
However, ranged combat in the early game (levels 1 and 2) is broken in this manner. When combat begins, mages keep shooting my rogue and his friends in the face with magic missiles, fire lances, and acid-spewing arrows. I lose over half my health and can do nothing to prevent it! How can I fight "fair" if I must start my first turn with half health or lower? While now covered with acid and fire?
Here are some discussion points to get the thread talk going:
1. Sneaking up on the bad guys in a fight is not always going to fix the issue. What about fights that start from conversations gone bad? (talk, roll dice, fail, acids arrows again, I start first turn with acid on my face.)
2. Maybe Larian could add some "preparation" spells or actions to protect the player during the first round of combat? Like deflecting spells until you take your first turn?
3. What other ways could Larian keep my dude from dying before his first action is taken?
4. If you want an in-game example of my problem, try raiding the ruins with the "scribes of death" in the earliest part of the game.
