If you can’t do like the current stage of a battle (say Advanced Map 8) and it’s too difficult, you can also do an easier Advanced map and score points or contribute that way.

The only drawback is that it will give less progression compared to fighting something say, Map 8, and you get the -40% score penalty (which only applies in Phase 1 and the first seven stages of Core Zone - Core 8 has no penalty).

It'll be a whole lot better than a failed run on Advanced 8.