Originally Posted by
SeeCamGo
Personally, for easy/average battles, I start with rav/rav/rav or com/rav/rav and just try to stagger as fast as possible, focusing on one enemy at a time. Rav/rav/rav does stagger faster but the gauge also drops a lot faster without a com, so you have to make sure to keep those attacks going.
For tougher battles, I'll usually start with med/syn/sen, just so i can keep my party in top shape while they get buffed. After that I'll switch to either one of the super offensive paradigms mentioned above, or if I need a sentinel, use com/rav/sen. If shit hits the fan I'll switch to med/med/sen.
On another note, Axis Blade is a really great weapon for Lightning that is worth upgrading. Lionheart is a good one too but you don't get it until chapter 12, and even then it's still debatable as to which is better... but I still prefer Axis.
In case you didn't know you only need to hit the person once with a commando for the gauge to slow up, then go rav/rav/rav for the super fast build up. For tough battles I start with Com/syn/sab. That combo does wonders.
I switched to the Axis when I first got them. I now regen 1.5 ATB gauges after every combo with them. I used to use Gladius and they are level to 5. When I start leveling I will start with Axis. I missed Fang's Gae bolg which sucks balls.
Again, I wish I could turn abilities off from the AI chart. I HATE cura when I am really hurting. Shoot 3 cure's to each hurt person then I can switch faster to a rav/rav/com or something similar.