Yes I to did not know about this feature. Sadly I only noticed it AFTER that fight at a later point in the game

Well we apparently have 2 discussion threads for this game haha.

Does anyone actually use weapons that don't have a Break/Topple/Launch/Smash? To me despite everyone having multiple weapons to choose from, I feel pretty limited since using a weapon that doesn't have a driver combo art seems really sub optimal. Similarly, is there ever a need to use light and dark elements? So far I haven't used them at all as they don't seem to combo with the more common elements, and enemy elemental resistance doesn't seem to matter much, not that I can even tell what resist what.

Also I have a question for those past chapter 8:

Is it worth getting Indoline dev level up to 5 before it becomes a hostile territory? I think I've done everything else there is to do there.

I do, I typically just Break-Topple with a combination of Mythra/Vale, Brighid and a common for Zeke. As for light and dark elements, well, yes, to perform Blade Combos and to inflict certain seals over enemies. Also, they also can link with more "common elements", you can go light-fire-light, or water-water-dark, for example. It's also easy to go with three light specials with Mythra's very fast cooldowns. 

As for Indol, no, it doesn't really matter. Only missables are the stuff you can get from lifestyle shops and aux core and chip centers, all of which are garbage compared to what you can get elsewhere. 

You don't use launch n smash for full driver/fusion combos? That's crazy to me! Does so much damage and further stuns the enemy, there aren't any other driver arts with such powerful effects, but it's good to see there are many ways that are effective. And sorry I ment to say they don't combo well, not that they don't combo at all.  Dark iirc doesn't fit as the Lv.2 special for any of the common elements, and I don't think it fits as Lv.1 either, except for itself and maybe light. What Seals do they have? Honestly I've not paid much attention to those effects, I just care about the massive damage and will go for whatever combo is available hehe. I use Tora with Earth/Fire/Ice, Nia with Fire(Claw)/Water(Axe)/Water, and Zeke with Wind(Gun)/Fire(Claw)/Electric. I would want to swap Tora's Ice for Nia's extra water, but Gorg's HP buff is so nice!

And thanks, I'll continue on with no regrets then!

Okay, fuck this game for putting story progression behind a field skill. The field skills shouldn't even be in the game, they're purely a nuisance.

Nevermind, figured it out. Still think field skills shouldn't be a thing, they're a pointless annoyance.

It started out really slow for me and kinda dragged, but now it's really starting to pick up and I'm coming around to it more and more.

While I dislike the design of most of the main characters and blades, the enemy creature design is superb, as I'd expect from Monolith. Those cobra-like snakes and flying seadragon thingies on Mor Adain look badass. 

I just hate how certain skills blocks, like one you have to do while climbing, requires you to drop to the floor reorganize your team to have the necessary blade and then climb back up to that spot again or sit through the character portraits and their sound bites each time success or fail.

I don't mind them being there but there has to be an easier way to access it or just have it recognize blades you don't have attached to characters at the time. Also seriously giving people to option so we don't have to hear the voice clips each time. I have heard 'Flora Heals...' way too many times.

Hit A two or three times. It will skip all that after a few button presses.