Freefall:
Pretty much what other people said re: starting w/15 point battleboxes to start--will help a lot with the easing-in factor.
Another thing-your opponent was not being very nice to you in playing Retribution for your first outing. They're the faction that pretty much specializes in killing warcasters messily. Particularly with mage hunters, their unit attachment, and Kaelysa.
Kaelyssa catches everyone off guard their first time with her nasty sucker punch. Don't feel bad.
People who have played for 7 years have gone WTF??? after getting 1st round sucker punched there.
But, best bet--bring yourself into the game slowly and you'll soon learn to love the complexity and sheer madness.
And ignore the trolling like BitzBarn. Though why an internet retailer would want to not promote sales of any game is beyond me...seems too much like shooting yourself in the foot.