Hmm.. Gau is a great member(stray cat early on). When you get Espers, pay attention to their level up bonus. That is the best way to make your guys stronger. If your not worried about a perfect runthrough(which i am sure your not if its your first time) than i recommend getting Edgar to a high level using bismark(an esper acquired after a trip to the capital)To make his drill and autocrossbow very, very strong. He is a pivitol character in the game and he can attack all enemies w/o the use of magic, thats why I would choose him.