Who suggested leveling up was important?

But yeah, that's really good advice. It's kinda funny, how this game works.

Edit: Setzer, you're supposed to generally find ways to get AP while not leveling up alot, until you find the Cactuars later on. But if it's your first time through the game, you don't have to bother with all of that low level stat-maxing.

But at lower levels with appropriate Junctions, your stats will be far above your enemies, because they too, are at a low level.