Action points in land attacks

[Xenomath]

During a land attack, each attacking unit can only participate as many combat rounds as there are action points left, divided by 10, right?
But it seems like it's not really a cost, since unless you run out of action points, the attack does not cost more than a simply move into that hex would have cost.
I didn't really realize the implications of this until a few matches ago. For example you can't delay an attacking enemy unless you win a combat, a 7 turn combat won't cost the attacker any more APs than a weakly or undefended hex (if he has 80+ APs).

I do wonder if this this is by intention.
If yes why and if everyone was aware of it.

[xBoroNx]

Yes but the attacker might lose lots of readiness during the combat too, so it at least indirectly delays him somewhat then. And then there is i think the ZoC-Mechanism, don't know exactly how it works though.