The SCH quests had both.

When Alka Zolka and Landanel had the big markers over their head with massive circular AoEs around them, they both spread out and run to the arena edges like you should as a player.

Up until that point, every normal orange AoE meant nothing to the NPCs. Alka Zolka just ate them, but, as stated, his HP is so inflated, regular healing kept him perfectly fine. Same for Setoto and Landanel.


So, I guess it's case by case. As they reacted accordingly to special skills but not to the ordinary ones.