I think is the best of the options in terms of keeping reincarnates honest; there are a great many characters that would, given the chance, participate in both combats, and this forces some of the less durable among them to pick their battles. It also means some of our more esoteric talents (healing, rapid movement, surveillance) have a unique chance to shine between the combats.

It also likely raises the civilian death toll, but that's a tradeoff that had to be made sooner or later, yes?