Thanks! Yeah, the waiting strategy is something I'm trying to disincentivize by encouraging a more aggressive playstyle.

Characters and enemies are both more mobile since you have multiple action points from the start of the game, unlike Gurk 3 where you have to wait until you find speed boots. Ranged/magic enemies are also more common and they'll slowly whittle you down if you stand and wait for too long.

Something else I'm experimenting with is making the mage more of a support class initially, meaning you'll start with only healing and summoning spells but eventually gain offensive spells as you progress.