Leveling up works but it is sooo tedious!

Like Timerk said, I found out big differences in "being raped" or not depending on the gambits I was using.

For instance, the skeletons near the Vorpal Bunny were kicking my butt until I put Balthier with Foe = undead / raise. Then it got to be cakewalk. Those blue hounds (demon hounds) around the Vorpal bunny also were ganging up on my party and killing it, until I used foe targeting self / drain. Drain also helps you nab the bunny faster because you don't need to touch him to deplete it's HP.

Drain worked perfeclty for Phon coast too. Try it on all 3 in your party. It will get to be a walk in the park

PS: Alas, later on Sochen Cavern, Barhein and Nabreus Deadlands the Drain and undead /raise need to be nixed: Undead there are immune to raise and drain on undead hurts your players

I've had success with 1,000 needles against those strong undead. Eve mighty Zalera fell to it