 Excluding the MMORPG Final Fantasy XI , Final Fantasy XII is the first entry in the main Final Fantasy series not to include random encounters . Instead , enemies are visible in the overworld and the player may choose to fight or avoid them . Battles unfold in real time using the " Active Dimension Battle " ( ADB ) system . Battles begin when the party comes within range of an aggressive enemy , the party attacks an enemy , or a story event initiates a confrontation . When a character or enemy begins an action , target lines connect characters to other party members or enemies ; different colors represent the different types of action . The player may swap to and issue commands to any of the three characters in the party , but guest characters are controlled by artificial intelligence ( AI ) . Battle commands are initiated through a series of menus , and include Attack , Magicks & Technicks , Mist , Gambits , and Items . The player may switch any active character with an inactive character at any time , unless the active character is targeted by an attack or ability . Characters who are knocked out may also be substituted . 
