"IncludeElementResponse" effect on steering vector

I'm designing a heterogenous conformal array, and import custom radiation patterns for my element from my emag solver. As I'm trying to steer the array, I adjust the steering vector.

I was reading a different question where it was stated that it is unnecessary to enable 'IncludeElementResponse' for the steering vector as it is already included in the plot pattern.

>https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/527089-adding-tapering-and-time-delay

Unfortunately, my results vary depending on if I enable 'IncludeElementResponse' or not. I'm not entierly sure why the steering vector would utilize the element response, I could have a misunderstanding but I thought the steering vector was purely a phase vector to adjust the individual elements based upon their spatial location for steering, and I don't know how the element pattern would effect the phase with respect to the steering angle.