Ya i totally agree with you that playing the game and finding things out on your own is the way to go thats why i didnt want to much info or any story spoilers. I just wanted to make sure i wasn't missing something early on thats gonna hurt me the rest of the way through the game.

I just got back from the fire cavern and started playin some cards, I was pretty pumped when i beat a guy that had both the Quistis card and the Biggs,Wedge card. With those two and ifirit, iron giant, Ruby Dragon i started being able to beat anyone in the garden.