Setting to turn off Auto Attack?

[Mikita]

Or turn your back to the enemy...

How exactly did you end up that close to the enemy if you were in a group and they weren't ready? That's my question.... you're an Archer, not a gladiator or lancer, there's no reason for you to have been so close that AA had any effect -- especially in a group.

I'm pretty sure I was facing to the side, not facing the enemy directly.

We were in the Black Shroud fighting in one of the narrow twisty curvy areas, not a wide open area like Thanalan or La Noscea. The environment put us into closer quarters during these battles.