Minor update:
I played through the second dreamworld scene. I had to stock Kiros up with some magic, 'cause Quistis didn't have any (he takes after her in the second "flashback"). I also drew a few Confuses from whatever draw point has them, and I drew 100 Dispels each from an Elastoid. I did all the meddling I could (the two keys, the latch, and the three boulders). After returning to Squall and co., I went back into the forest to battle, and I ended up fighting a Wendigo. I already had a full stock of Berserks, so I mugged it for Steel Pipes and quickly got rid of it. Then I ended up fighting an Ochu. I tried to draw some stuff out of it, but it was causing a bunch of status effects to all my characters, so I pummeled it until it was defeated. After that, I went through Galbadia Garden like normal, didn't side track too much. I did draw some Lifes and play that one chick who uses Level6 cards few times (won every time). Once I finally got Irvine and left the Garden, I got into a battle with a Belhelmel and a Zombie (I'm pretty sure that's what they're called...they're the floating zombie head things). I drew 100 Floats each from the Zombie to help a little with the battles against Minotaur and Sacred. That's about it, 'cause as soon as I got to Deling, I rested at the hotel, saved, and turned the game off.