thanks for the advice i really appreciate it this is my first time through this game i just arrived in jara and my characters levels are

Vann 36 Fran 29 Ashe 29 Balthier 29 Penelo 29 Basch 29

which isnt that bad, so far this game i think is pretty good, just thought i was doing something wrong with the way levelled up but HP doesnt seem that important so all good!