I think it benefits the opponent partially.
You want to continously attack an opponent in melee, not hit it and then have to chase after it and hit it again.
This gives the opponent time to run, and use ranged weapons/spells.
I just love the dragon blow you away thing. Once my party was clse to death in BG2 against Firkraag in melee, and he blew me away. I healed and went back.
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