[@Zyx]

My $.02:

An ideal scenario [i]should[/i] be played by ear, with some room to plan stuff where it makes sense. For the most part, that's through understanding the other player's goals and applying reasonable boundaries where appropriate. Ultimately, any combat results in some form of win, loss, treaty, or retreat, so if a conflict would end up with one of two players feeling slighted, the thing to do is talk it over and figure out if either player is okay with that fact, and if not, to avoid the combat.