I used to only use cloud barret red XIII, then when I got yuffie I had cloud, barret, and Yuffie. When I got vincent I had Cloud, Yuffie, Vincent, and when I got cid it was Cloud, Vincent, Cid.

On my playthrough right now I will use Cloud, Tifa, and Red XIII for the entire game. They really destroy the beginning of the game. Red is my mage, but he can still do a lot of damage with the seraph comb. I am about to redo clouds materia. He is going to be a pure warrior with enemy skill. Enemy skill doesnt lower att so cloud can still do a lot of damage. Tifa will then be my Red mage type character. She will have a cure spell and a good black magic spell. This will keep her attack still high, and she can heal and use black magic.

Red XIII using his limit break on 1 enemy can do about 1600 damage, tifa if I get 2 with yeah and 2 with hit(thats what I do because otherwise I often miss on one of the later 2. Tifa does about 1700. Cloud is only using climhazzard so he does about 1200 damage or so. When he is using meteorain he will be doing much more damage than anyone else. Cloud is level 30, tifa 29, and red is either 29 or 30, cant remember. I am at Nibelheim.