I've recently learned that Septimus (the cowardly boss of this chapter) is programed to run away from you as you near him, as he always traveled to different areas in his little section whenever someone approached. I love fun little specified AI quirks like that and wish they were used more often in games like this.
Chapter 8-3 - Incandescent Glow: Finished.
Ike & Soren: Took the west side, heading directly south as Soren took down the majority of foes. They moved slowly and deliberately, avoiding fire traps and drawing foes to them, rather than rushing to the enemies themselves. Much of their work was done thanks to the foes walking all over the fire traps and hurting themselves before they even reached them, allowing them to easily take them down. They continued south, ignoring the turns that came up, and headed down the bend near Septimus and his lackeys, slowly baiting them to come out, as Septimus ran away, his guards following and keeping around him. Once the others pushed through the main section, Ike and Soren waited at the edge of the carnage, preparing to help should they need to, but never getting the chance.
Mist, Jill, & Mordecai: Took the eastern side, moving more southeast into the large area and dealing with the large group of foes. Jill and Mist led the charge as Mordecai built up his gauge, fending off a swordmaster and two generals before the tiger shifted and ripped through a mage as he joined the fray. They forced their way forward again, Mordecai deshifting when he found there were no foes to fight so that he could regain his gauge, and the two girls preparing to lure out a pair of mages. They fell for the bait, and Mordecai Passed through them, taking one down while Jill flew over the ledge and gutted the second one. Mist ran over, healing Jill from the damage, and then they continued. As they approached Septimus, they ran into the alcove above his area, fighting off the enemies there and then preparing to storm the place. Mordecai Passed through the generals, and took one down, while Jill flew over and stabbed the archer, giving Mist an opening to enter through. Mist healed Jill again, and the trio made short work of Septimus and his lackeys thereafter.
Septimus: Jill killed him, attacking him with an axe to start, causing him to run onto a fire trap after Mist killed his healer, and Jill finished him off from there.
Up Next: We rescue Elincia from Valtome the "Useless Parasite" (Zelgius has the best insult ever)!
Comment Question: I recently learned that Septimus has special AI, that is to say, he's programed to run from you. I personally quite like that, and wish they used it more, as I stated previously. Todays question is: Where do you think it would have been cool for them to implement specialized AI based on the type of unit or a specific character? For example, Feral Ones, being warped, mindless monsters, seem to use the exact same strategy as Begnion troops throughout the game, and I think it'd be cool if they acted more like crazed beasts, attacking the nearest target to them, rather than using tactics.
