With certain bosses and marks, it's more affective to build strategy around characters. This where Decoy and Reverse come in handy. Also setting multiple conditions on a spell or ability allows you to use them more effeciently. As for the techniques, they are more useful in boss fights or mark hunts. Battles that are generally long to begin with.

As for the Fran thing... I'm sorry to say, but it just proves that the effectiveness of the gambits rely solely on the player.

The gambits allow you to adapt to a situation on the spot. You can change the gambits or deactivate the useless ones whenever you feel like it in battle.

As for the monsters being cheap... This goes back to the fact that the ADB system is NOT real-time free roaming Zelda action. It's just the ATB system with the 3rd dimension finally being put into account. It's not perfect but come on, it still adds a new level of dynamic to it.

Besides, it's not like the battle menu was designed to be user friendly. You would give the monster several free hits or even get a character killed just sorting through the menu to find the right spell ot item. It just adds to your frustration.