Just a few ideas:
-Did you try cooking? There's cooking that prevents status ailments for a while, after someone got afflicted by something.
-Using Velvette's "claw" breaks guard. Likewise, if you are far enough, you can "charge" while blocking, to get your next attack to break the guard (red aura)
-Remember resistances and weaknesses, they matter. Strongly.
-Hourglass

edit: Also make sure to use different attacks. Enemies recover faster when you spam the same stuff back to back.

Originally posted by Kiru:

Just a few ideas:
-Did you try cooking? There's cooking that prevents status ailments for a while, after someone got afflicted by something.
-Using Velvette's "claw" breaks guard. Likewise, if you are far enough, you can "charge" while blocking, to get your next attack to break the guard (red aura)
-Remember resistances and weaknesses, they matter. Strongly.
-Hourglass

edit: Also make sure to use different attacks. Enemies recover faster when you spam the same stuff back to back.

This guy sums it up pretty well. I got some more tips if your interested.

I'll just add that you should prioritise the smaller enemies first in order to build up SG. If you ever need to punch through a wall, Velvet is your wrecking ball. I usually have a combo of fast, low-cost, neutral damage attacks that I use to fish for stuns in order to build up some SG. When you built up enough, unleash Velvet's Therion-Mode, and as soon as she uses the big attack at the end just activate Therion-Mode again to sustain the combo. And use super-effective attacks.

I never had much trouble with the code-reds. It sounds like you're battle strategy is lacking. Some tips for when you get into a tight spot:

1. If Velvet gets stunned and goes below three SG, play defensive. If you're not attacking or dodging then you should be blocking; much less likely to be stunned. Dodge, quick attack, block. Build an attack combo with fast, low-cost, neutral damage, high stun-chance attacks for situations like this.

2. You can customise everyone's AI, tell then all to NOT attack low health targets, and maybe also tell them to not prioritise attacking the thing that you're attacking. You want Velvet to be free to build up SG so she can not only get into Therion-Mode, but preferably STAY in Therion-Mode. It's not always possible but Velvet's Therion-Mode can in theory become self-sustaining; continually stunning/killing opponents to keep her going. The risk is that after a while, Therion-Mode will be the only thing keeping Velvet alive, so she'll be in serious danger if you drop the ball. That being said, this is how I win most code-red fights.

3. Velvet is fast, dodge more. If you know something is likely to stun you (wolves or scorpions for example) then stay mobile. Dodge around them, wait for them to miss an attack, that's your opening. Alternatively, Velvet is fully capable of stun-locking most opponents herself.

I remember my first baboon as well. Fun times. If you're still in the early game, it's not worth fighting dire foes if they're more than 10 levels above you - I'm guessing that's what happened if it took 5min to take out 5%. Either that, or you did something very wrong in your rotation

I think it was a level thing. I've carried on and gotten further again, but I was playing it on NewGame+ and I think it spawned at much higher level than I was, but it was a pain in the ass.

After getting back to grips with the combat system and unlocking more skills though, I've had far less issues with the dire foes!

Cheers for the responses though :D

If enemies block a lot just do the defend for 2 seconds to activate next attack being unblockable.

I don’t think they give exp because I just fought one after fighting marmots and I only got 85 exp

The first two dire foes, the Bat and the Hanged Man thing are not so big deal, however the Baboon breaks just as bad due to the "shadow" enemies together, because they have a big defense, like big enough to do 0-0-0-0 at level 20 (Hard). You can literally take half bar from the Baboon but get in trouble with the minions, as they take every soul and the battle go lost.