DQIX Party Tatics

[sbk]

I have been playing Dragon Quest IX recently and noticed that you can set your party members to auto pilot. I thought this was interesting and decided to try and beat the game with me only controlling the main character and the other party members on auto pilot to see how it affects the game. I think it is interesting because it makes it feel like I am just my character in a party with other people having a real quest. I don't know if it will make the game harder or easier but so far it just means I press less buttons when grinding and have the battles be a little less predictive. Has anyone else done this and what do you think of this?