Phantom Brave's battle system is free form. Instead of using a grid, you have a circle movement system that allows more freedom. Also, you can jump over most things (like other characters), which can make it hard to protect some of the weaker spellcaster units.

Furthermore, the only permanent character you have is Marona, who starts on the field. Marona confines Phantoms to objects like bushes, rocks, pillars, fish, etc. on the battlefield. Confined Phantoms can only remain for a few turns before they vanish and are not confinable for the duration of the battle.

Finally, you can only have one type of equipment, a weapon, which has its own HP and can be destroyed and the like. Anything you can confine with you can also pick up and wield as a weapon, and you can also pick up other people and use them as a weapon. Weapons also confer special skills depending on what they are and what they've been fused with and given.