I think this is what is exactly happening; the monster that "spots" you gets a turn, your team gets a turn, and then everyone else as usual. I was wondering why the battles in PotD seemed so much easier than the regular game mode.
I guess I have to give it more of a go. I'm playing a SC Ascendant, max Per and Might. It seems to not raise my focus as much as my pistols, but I don't seem to crit a lot with it. That might be why.
I'm doing a Beckoner/Wiz on PoTD. Seems to work great so far, though I need to watch where I drop those chillfogs less I wipe out my poor minion midgets.