Frustated with battle behavior

[CrimsonKing]

Im very frustated with how battles in this game pan out. My members, despite me setting "proper" tactics, act like morons, trying to cast spells right after they have already been staggered by the 5th time in a row. Also, they dont even try to interrupt spellcasters, its ALWAYS me being forced to manually changy my target to cancel an enemies spell. Also, even though i disable certain artes, for example Kratos refuses to cast Lightning (which is active) versus an lightning-weak enemy and instead does First Aid time and time again.

I have experiences with others tales games (abyss, vesperia, zest) and i cant remember being that frustated.

[Aifread]

Symphonia was before those other games so the AI isn't quite as up to snuff. Though I don't think even in Abyss and Vesperia the casters were smart enough to automatically use the enemy's weaknesses. For the most part you'll have to deal with cancelling spells yourself and protecting your spellcasters from getting cancelled themselves. Things will get easier/better midway through the game when you get more physical attackers (Kratos, btw, is way better as a physical attacker than a spellcaster, so you may have better luck adjusting your strategy accordingly).

[Gamrage]

Well, if you want your spellcasters to cast specific skills, you can disable the spells that you don't want the AI to cast. As for being interrupted, your major role is to keep most of the enemies from reaching your spellcasters. I feel like you should be choosing your targets more wisely if your spellcasters are being targeted. I mean it's alright if you set an NPC to attack casters, but they usually don't take the initiative unless they finish a combo, and notice someone in the middle of casting. They won't identify a spellcaster unless they see them casting. I usually target spellcasters myself because that's technically my role when playing a melee character.

If you absolutely hate your ally NPC being interrupted, you can arrange their Ex Skills so that they have Concentrate. It will keep them from being interrupted. Raine and Genis have it, and Colette has her own version.