One problem bandits and others lurking in woods might run into is the fact a one-on-one match is going to be fairly risky to either side, especially if it is a random encounter. There is no guarantee the person you are attacking in the woods is going to be without skill at arms. Likewise, even a two-on-one random encounter in a remote area is going to be a red flag to many a lonely traveler who will probably either flee or act with extreme caution when confronted by strangers. This makes it more difficult to actually fight and disable someone.
I do like the idea of bandits having incentive to rob and not grievously wound their victims, perhaps some reduction in severity of penalty for getting caught. After all, even if a bandit forces a player character to spirit walk, that player is still going to have all the same information about the bandit(s) that they would have if they had just been robbed. The only exception to this might be if the bandits ended up permanently killing a victim, but even then there are things players can do outside the game to communicate with their allies what has happened.
I would also like to see addressed the issue of fighting outside of city limits. For example, if I am attacked on the road or about to be attacked, will I be flagged as the offender if I land the first hit? It is a certainty there will be those who goad others to fight, taking the first hit so the other person is flagged as the offender, and doing as they please (even having others from out of sight join the fray). Perhaps if the rendering unconscious was a much less grievous offense but the robbing of the purse was the more grievous offense with coup de grace being the greatest offense.