I don't see how anyone could have trouble with the Weapons. Maybe people just didnt understand the concept behind certain materia. In my first "full" play through, I didn't even know what I was doing with Ruby and ended up having Cid and Tifa kicked from the battle. It was just Cloud and Ruby one-on-one. But he had Final Attack + Life3. I had him counter attacking with Ultima. And W-Summoning Knights of the Round. Maybe cast Regen now and then. But keep up on the ethers/elixers with the W-Item glitch or just buy a ton and you're set, just watch your magic points. THough I suppose you could reverse HP<->MP *Shrug*