Hey so I've been playing final fantasy 8 and id like to get a few opinions on which party members to chose. so right now my party is squall and zell but I cant decide on the third person if you read the description the choice is between Irvine, quistis, and selphie. please no one say put rinoa in because I don't like using her. so Irvine I might use because hes good limit damage. quistis for her white wind and mighty guard I mean who wouldn't want a chance at free aura. selphie because her full cure is good plus wall makes for good defense I wont really use rapture and the end would only end up for omega. please some help me decide

If you want to charge through and attempt to go through the game with a short time?
Use the fist three characters you get all the time.
For Final Fantasy 8?
Time saving may not be in the cards due to the Random Enemy EXP Level Generator.
In F.F. 7.??
My method worked like a charm. (Cloud, Tifa, and Barret.) Final Game time on that should clock in around 62 or less hours.
For F.F.8.???
The modifications are so wild to the traditional design of an R.P.G..... I think the thing was engineered to last forever. (At least that's what it feels like.)

To answer you question. I would stick with the original 3 you got on the first level. (Squall, Selphie, and Zell).
(Look I know that Squall's first Partner is Quistiss. Just bear with me.)

If the cute outbursts of the youth are annoying then Trade Selphie for Quistiss.
The same goes for Zell and the Cowboy.

For me I always had Squall, Zell, and Rinoa. Whenever the game would allow. The thing divides the party and forces you to employ each of the other characters at least once anyway. (If Memory serves. Like I said.. I think it was designed to go on forever.)
Wait till you get to "Laguna" or the "Furry Beast". (Forgot what the furry guys name was.)

Good Luck To All.
Peace.

I have tried various combinations of characters to play with in Final Fantasy 8.
But I find the best people to use for me are..

Squall Leonhart
Zell Dincht
Rinoa Heartilly (When accessible Quistis Trepe until then)

This is the combination I use every time I play the game now.
Every now and then I might switch out Rinoa for Irvine.
As he is a good all round character that can provide power, a range of status effects, and healing when needed.

In respect to your last question, your best bet is Zell. If you are quick with his limit break, you can strike over and over until the limit ends. I'm quick, so sometimes I can extend the limit to 10+ strikes with 9999. Also, if I were you, I'd reconsider not using Rinoa because of the fact that if you remove all of her attack magic besides meteor, and then use Angel Wings, you can absolutely dominate because all she can cast is meteor. This is especially helpful with the Omega Weapon in Ultimecia's Castle.