First, let me say...Squall of SeeD and TheAbominatrix are so smart. Not sucking up or anything, but you made your points far more eloquently than I could have. ^_^ Anyway, to add my two bits in...I didn't think Aeris' limit breaks really sucked. They were the only ones (that I know of--admittedly not an expert) geared specifically for aiding the party instead of damaging the enemy. They came in real handy when you were in a boss battle and all your characters had low HP/status ailments/whatever. That's not why I dislike her...no, it's mostly just her personality.

Tifa (who I could really relate to much more) came off as being more like someone I would readily befriend. Plus, even though she obviously liked Cloud, she backed off and pretty much let Aeris go after him, showing how selfless she truly was. Had the situation been reversed, I really don't think Aeris would have done the same, though I guess we'll never get a chance to know.