not including limits, squall is the best because of his extra damage attacks for his gunblade. his lionheart limit is also probly the most powerful. zells good because his limit can get over 30 hits and rinoas good because of invincible moon, angel wing and shooting star. my biggest hint is refine nearly everything. its so easy to get powerful spells like demi and quake and level 3 spells like firaga before the end of disk 2. you just need the right items. i refine nearly all of my cards (even the rare ones.) and it makes the game so much easier.