Many combats require a level of attention and tactical approach that doesn't come automatically to a lot of players, and it can take players by surprise a lot of the time. I think working on the early combats so that a few of them force the player to make use of more creative tactics to win would go a long way in helping prepared players for knowing how to aproach more challenging encounters.
This is a good idea. So many people seem to think they can just rush and kill everything in games then get surprised when doing this makes it harder or doesn't work. Many games sadly cater to this playstyle and not to a more tactical and creative one so it is understandable that people may expect it here. Teaching people that they will have to think early on would be a good thing. There would of course have to be some mindless combats as well so the impatient sorts don't complain the entire game is too hard.
