i dont know about combat in elemental but i would wait until elven legacy comes out instead of getting fantasy wars.  it is a stand alone sequel and is supposed to be out in the US sometime in march. 

signed,

*fan community want info, rabble rabble*

we want to know how combat is going to work beyond it being something like: HoMM, X-com, Total War, MoM, and or fantasy wars/general (Actually that last one I don't think has been officially mentioned, but I've seen several people around the forum, including here, relate that game to this one so I guess there must be similarities)

*rabble rabble*

I'm really curious how combat is going to work in the map-only betas.

no probelm.  here is a preview of EL on strategy informer-btw, according to this EL will have 3 expansions:

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/elvenlegacy/preview.html