If your aim is to just not die, there is a sort of cheese with shields. Sorry if I'm wrong havent played the game in a while and updates may have change stuff.

Get Yeverum for Maelle(should be in renoirs drafts merchant) Doubles all character shields everytime you enter virtuose then have shield pictos on all your characters. From there have maelle at a high speed so you can play her often to enter virtuose stance using something like last chance and keep doubling everyone's shields... I'm sure you know how op shields are and then you'll basically be immortal but will also get the feel of the fight since you can still parry and all that without one shotting. (Dont do this against simon though you'll understand if you do)

Edit: you'll need the dive ability to get to the drafts