useful?

Okay, I know a lot of you people out there haven't used Rikku at all and think that she is weak. That she is almost as un-useful as Kimahri (not my opinion, but a lot of people seem to think like this). This is why I've made this section. To prove that if Rikku is used right, she's very useful.

First thing. I don't like Auron (one reason why I started sputtering once I found out he got a bigger role in KH2 than Rikku). I think he's a granpa, who can do the same as Kimahri more slowly (referring to piercing). But still I used him as much as possible and got him powered up enough to be strong, not so slow, and to use Armour and Mental Break.
What does this have to do with Rikku? Well, you might not like Rikku. Think that she is weak, and gets killed too easily. But if you keep on using her in your party, if even for a single turn to steal something from an enemy, it pays off.

Rikku is the first one to have aqcuired Steal (unless you've given all the EXP to Kimahri and gotten him the ability first) and Use. So gosh darn it, USE those abilities! It gives you so many great items to use in her overdrive or just to throw against the enemy.

Second, she has Spare Change and Bribe. Both very handy to get rid of that extra cash and find rare items.

And third, she is so quick! Since her part of the sphere grid increases agility (note: NOT strength, NOT magic, but agility), she has a big bunch of turns and possibilities to trash up the enemy in a time it would take to deliver one blow from Auron or Lulu (or Kimahri). I personally think that this makes her mighty useful.

Oh, and you wouldn't be able to customize your weapons without her, or would be still wandering clueless about the Guado and summoners' duty. So, yes, she DOES have a part and a meaning in the game.