I've been following this game for a while, and would really like to buy it, but I have a couple of questions first:

1) I am unsure if my current PC can handle it, primarily because of low memory. My specs are:

Pentium IV 3.2Ghz (single core)

1GB RAM

256Mbs ATI Radeon X800XT

Windows XP

These specs are mostly above the requirements listed on the preorder page, except for memory, which is listed as 1Gb Available Memory. I am not sure what that means, does that mean 1Gb overall memory, or 1Gb AFTER operating system demands (XP uses 256Mb I think, not sure)? Would I be able to play Elemental with those specs on a regular map (NOT a clothmap)? Obviously I would have to turn stuff down, but if anyone in beta had similar specs, I would appreciate some feedback.

2) I've played a few turn based games before (including Age of Wonders, Heroes of Might and Magic games), and while I like them overall, one thing always bothered me about combat. Toward the later stages of the game, both sides develop very powerful spells/technologies/attacks, and in any given battle, one side gets to go first (the defender in Age of wonders, the attacker in something like Fallout). In a game like Elemental, where your avatar or perhaps heroes are very important units, if the side going first can use some uber spell/ability right away to "one-shot" your unit, the game turns into a race of who can use the ability first, rather than real strategy (cast defensive spells, counter-cast, etc). So can the people who played the beta comment on this aspect in Elemental? Is this kind of thing prevented? Once again, appreciate any feedback.