You can directly control another character's Tech Attack as well as your own character's. Assign a special attack that a party member to either up or down on your C Stick. If the other character has enough Tech Points, activate this control combination to make them launch a special attack. One particularly helpful special is Collette's Sacrifice, which attacks all enemies and heals all allies in exchange for her life. (You can revive your selfless team member with a Life Bottle.) Another sharp choice is Genis' Stalagmite, which seriously damages most all enemies and costs a mere 20 Tech Points.

At the start, especially, Kratos is the total package. He heals, he dishes out elemental attacks and he wields an extremely powerful sword. What else can you ask for? Because he's good with a weapon, he's more likely to self-replenish his Tech Points quickly than other members of your hardy band.