But I like being able just to skip to the result!! Especially when all the flash seams to freeze up and takes ages just to cycle through one round because its taking forever on each thing, leaving me extreamly vulnerable if im somewhere popular.
Branching has already been suggested, but the huge amount of artwork it would entail (not to mention how confusing it would be to tell what is what at the higher levels) has pretty much ruled that out
As for changing during the battle? NO NO NO Once the battle has begin its begun, there is all the suspense of wanting to know if your ritual will hold up, whether you put enough vit into it, or too much (there was no way you could have beten him, now look how long you have to wait to regain the vit!, ohh im such an idiot). But it would also change one of the key parts of the game, which is learning which creatures work best on which of their ability's. If you can change them then there is no point.
Position of creatures wouldnt work either, it would limit the types of rits you could have if creature X only works when in positions Y. Because there not really proper as you would consider units of war, and are not bound by the rules of human warfare.
But then again my opinion only - Manu might like some of your suggestions. I suggest you put some of them up in a poll.