yeah I mean maybe his dots get crazy powerful once you learned the Advanced Art books, but for right now, Intermediate, his spells just aren't as powerful because his Ether isn't as high as Melia and he can't boost the damage with a Bolt, Copy Bolt, buff before casting them.
I dunno, everyone keeps talking how good he is, but the AI doesn't stack DoTs (like Ice, then Fire, then Poison) and his AI mostly does Auto Attacks, and wtf why would you even waste time on an auto attack unless there isn't a single Art to select?
I mostly feel like Melia manual, and then 7th and Dunban are good AI characters because all they have to do is fucking auto attack and if you do any Arts on the side, then fine, but not necessary. I would carry around Sharla but I don't need her unless outside of boss/unique battles.