Can't you just cast spells during a conversation if it looks like a battle is about to start?
Theres a "change character" button on the lower left which lets you control characters who are not in dialogue.
Yes, this "preemtive strike" idea would help with one or two ranged enemies.
Yet, I still wonder if it would address the core issue of getting ganked to nothing by larger groups before the player can even more their units. For example, the band of thieves by the death scribe ruins main entrance.
By the way, I like the way you think critically, 1varangian.
