Targeting Issues

[Knightmage Bael]

Can I just use an arte anywhere I want? When I try and target something it just runs from me and switches up with someone in front, so I attack and the character tries to run through the opponent, who just ends up attacking me in the process. This loops indefinitely so I can never actually target anybody effectively.

[LightOfJudgment]

Try switching to Manual mode in the Artes menu.

[Knightmage Bael]

Originally posted by lightofjudgment1:

Try switching to Manual mode in the Artes menu.

That might help. The issue is arising because of Lailah's Crucible.

There's this one part with these roller bugs and centipede hellions and they move faster than you can run or dodge, and have several attacks, you dont get a single moment in, they operate faster than you can even land a basic attack so there's no way to run from them and get enough distance. I have no bloody clue how to get past them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_giOGUYu6Y

Literally one mistake and they will combo you to death.

[LemonCakes]

Yeah, you can set it to Manual so that martial artes are performed on the spot. Otherwise, you can tap the target button to target your closest enemy.
also...

Instead of the second neutral martial arte, use Phoenix Triad. It is a lot faster, and hits in a horizontal motion in front of you. Like you said in the description, dashing as placeholders for combo moves will allow you to manipulate which martial arte comes out, not just how fast you can cast. If you use the first combo move as a martial arte, use a left or right directional one. You will be able to move slightly in the respective direction.
Don't cast Burning Strike as the first combo move, especially when the enemies are up close. The cast time is too long. Instead, you can link Burning Strike from Blitz Bomb as the third and fourth in the combo for good efficiency, or even Pyrogenic Ring.
Time your dodges to the enemies' attacks. If you are not surrounded and need to get away, use Free Run instead, and move back in a curved motion.

Although not very effective for mob battles, spell cancelling is really good in Zestiria, allowing you to extend a combo to numbers you couldn't normally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tSJtqEJjXc&ab_channel=swillo