The correct way to deal with trash encounters is to not include them in the first place. Also, I always find it hilarious when people massively exaggerate the time it takes to play turn-based combat. Anyway, the market seems to have spoken since turn-based RPGs like Divinity:OS far outsold games like Pillars of Eternity, and RTWP games have been adding turn-based modes, which is pretty ironic considering the whole pitch with RTWP was "gamers don't have any patience for turn-based and only want action now," thanks largely to Diablo.

In the case of Kingmaker it was actually the other way around, it's RTWP had TB mechanics too deeply embedded in it's core structure. It was an adaptation of tabletop RPG after all. Works lightly buggy and janky, but otherwise very well and indeed "better" than RTWP.
If I recall correctly, they promised something like HOMM with the regards of army leading.

Same, I have started multiple times, but at some point I always get completely annoyed by the game.

Started 5 playthroughs/charactets and probably put in 20+ hours over the course of those 5 playthroughs.

I just can't get myself to like Pathfinder.

Well, I managed to progress quite far. But I still need time for the grind :)

GOG's "Soon" is preposterously long. It's the new "Good news!".

Anyway... hope this game will be great, I loved the first one. The very end wasn't all that enjoyable, but apart from that it's a wonderful game. Played through it several times, and a few half-done too. For an RPG, that's a sign of approval.

I actually made a thread on this. But GOG's search, being that it is (nonexistant), I failed to recall it from the depths.

What is your problem exactly? The game is in development. GOG gives you advance notice they want to sell it and will likely be selling it when it's done. As long as you don't preorder, more information is always better. The only scenario in which you get screwed is if another store offers a better limited-time deal, you decide to buy the game on GOG, GOG ends up not selling it after all and you miss out on the other deal.

It was a more general comment than just for this game. There are games in alpha state that will be released "Soon", probably in 1-2 years. Good thing not everybody have the same perspective on time.

"Okay, just hang on. We'll send an ambulance. It will be there soon."