Yeah, it is nice, though pretty much necessary considering the game is made to expect you to die. Hell even normal baddies, at least later in the game, can kill you if you're not paying enough attention.

Quote Originally Posted by Loony BoB View Post
Okay, now that I'm in chapter 11, I skip a lot of battles when going through narrow areas. If I want to battle, I spend a lot of time in an area where there are a lot of guys I can beat for decent enough CP.
I started doing this, mostly fairly early on doing Marks when you're running up and down this same narrow path. I'll fight 'em all once, but the second and third time I start running by some of the more avoidable ones if they're annoying to fight.

And wtf at the Munchkins.