actually, for fires, the usage of slow at 1st round, then 2nd round poison, are for the benefit of themselves gaining great exp (whether solo or in a team). It doesn't matter if it misses or not, the fact of those being used gives out bonus exp already.

i mostly do solo bursting and gain 4x the reg exp given as long as my char and pet do a combo at the 3rd round. (gaining 40exp at cirruses, got 200+ if done succesfully, probably for every 8 out of 10 battles) it isn't much but pretty good :D