First playthrough, Tibarn. Second playthrough, chose Giffca to get his portrait, then I used Tibarn. This playthrough, I'll use Naesala.
Also; I kill Bryce easily. Meteor with Soren kills him in two hits (if Soren capped Magic, I believe). I then normally use Bryce's Speedwing to get Soren to cap Speed (he always seems to be under one or two points).