i feel like i'm not understanding the combat system here help?

[Edward Von Worms]

I just got through the old smoky boss fight by the skin of my teeth by basically spamming my healing items and using the frostbite spell, Esther was dead within the first minute and my familiars seemed to be really weak, i've done all the side quests and bounty stuff up to here, do i need to grind more? is this just how this boss goes? i'm very confused about this game, what am i missing?

[SenMithrarin85]

Companion AI is braindead until you can force them to attack/defend via a group order later in the game.

Familiars aren't much use in that fight. the Mite is crap and the seed sprite despite having a water spell is weak to fire. its best to take control of oliver and set esther's AI to keep us healthy. she seems to die guaranteed early in the fight but if revived, should last better from then on.

[No' Name]

I wouldn't say the AI is braindead, they aren't much help, even when you do get control of the Defend/Attack commands.

This I would say actually relies on which type of Familiars you actually give your characters to play around with.

A perfect example would be; even when you unlock "Said commands", unless the familiars your party members are equipped with, doesn't mean they'll be able to take the action.

I find it best to split your parties familiars evenly, by this I simply mean, make sure each party member has a minion that can "Defend, Attack, and Heal". If each of your party members have this type of combination the game is pretty much a breeze.

It could be possible you were underleveled, though, if you're trying to catch everything you see early on, that's highly unlikely, unless you have a ridiculous amount of luck when it comes to catching monsters.

It's also worth noting, you should make sure to check the weapons/armor/accessory stores for gear for your familiars, as they can equip it. If your gear is up to date, and you're not trying to fight something that's resistant to certain weapons, or vice-versa elements your familiars are weak against, you really shouldn't have any trouble at all.

[Furry Wrecking Crew]

There are two things I don't see mentioned that can help with combat. One is that every party member has certain familiar types that perform better for them. You will see the Genus Icon flashing if that familiar goes good with that particular character. The other thing is the AI blows through MP. They routinely exhaust almost ALL their MP on one regular encounter. I had to change the Tactics for all chars to Don't Use Abilities. They still use them, but less. They don't seem to understand sometimes just attacking an enemy is fine, no need to waste precious MP, especially since MP healing items are super expensive ($800 for 1 item that heals a measly 30 Mp!?) and you don't find enough and can't craft enough. You have to conserve MP, and pay attention to when your chars are going to level. Then you can heal up and go all out knowing their MP will replenish when they level up.

[SenMithrarin85]

Originally posted by Vigi React:

There are two things I don't see mentioned that can help with combat. One is that every party member has certain familiar types that perform better for them. You will see the Genus Icon flashing if that familiar goes good with that particular character. The other thing is the AI blows through MP. They routinely exhaust almost ALL their MP on one regular encounter. I had to change the Tactics for all chars to Don't Use Abilities. They still use them, but less. They don't seem to understand sometimes just attacking an enemy is fine, no need to waste precious MP, especially since MP healing items are super expensive ($800 for 1 item that heals a measly 30 Mp!?) and you don't find enough and can't craft enough. You have to conserve MP, and pay attention to when your chars are going to level. Then you can heal up and go all out knowing their MP will replenish when they level up.

it would help if those AI commands actually stuck between fights. Each time a fight ends, they default back to "do what you like"

And yeah, the MP items are expensive. you can craft the $800 items for $200 though. just needs 2 iced coffees and a spring water to make 1 strong coffee.

[Furry Wrecking Crew]

Originally posted by SenMithrarin85:

Originally posted by Vigi React:

There are two things I don't see mentioned that can help with combat. One is that every party member has certain familiar types that perform better for them. You will see the Genus Icon flashing if that familiar goes good with that particular character. The other thing is the AI blows through MP. They routinely exhaust almost ALL their MP on one regular encounter. I had to change the Tactics for all chars to Don't Use Abilities. They still use them, but less. They don't seem to understand sometimes just attacking an enemy is fine, no need to waste precious MP, especially since MP healing items are super expensive ($800 for 1 item that heals a measly 30 Mp!?) and you don't find enough and can't craft enough. You have to conserve MP, and pay attention to when your chars are going to level. Then you can heal up and go all out knowing their MP will replenish when they level up.

it would help if those AI commands actually stuck between fights. Each time a fight ends, they default back to "do what you like"

And yeah, the MP items are expensive. you can craft the $800 items for $200 though. just needs 2 iced coffees and a spring water to make 1 strong coffee.

Yeah, I JUST got the Travel spell, so now I can go back and buy ingredients. Might be able to make enough items now.