The Valkyrie does 3 bursts, then a pause. Have to sprint during those pauses, just don;t overshoot. That was the only time I got hit. Have not tried it on hard mode yet. I am in CH 17 of my second play thru and the only chapter I completed on hard mode is CH 2. Just got to the special Chadley battle room. I keep getting smoked on the final enemy of the first Hard Mode only battle. Damned thing slings out something that hits me for like 6K damage. I cannot get in close without getting shredded, cannot keep my distance without getting hit by that damned projectile from hell. I finally got off my summon of Bahamut, three seconds after he shows up, get hit by one of those projectiles. I had to shut it off for awhile. Hard mode is not even worth it for me and my slow reflexes. I can still smoke both Ruby and Emerald Weapon in the original. I kind of hate action combat. Although, I mostly got through it on normal but my hands were hurting at times. Hard mode is a SOB for my old ass.