So... This is the "improved encounter design"?

[Aravell]

Wait, what? For sure I missed that part, then.

But that's so odd... why wait until nearly halfway through the expansion cycle to introduce this kind of thing?

Maybe they want people to get accustomed to the new jobs first? Not that much changed with the jobs, but it's normal that they make the start of the expansion easier to on-board new players.