I started again with my game, not only because I accidentily saved over a game and lost 4-5 hours of gameplay but because I didn't like my combinations, I think it's actually a little silly how lost in it all you can get, deciding who should do what and looking over the boards to check things don't clash. I think some of the boards are weird too, layout wise, having things locked behind Espers, having magiks just chucked in what should be an attacking board mainly. About 5 boards have Drain for example.

Anywho, hope people make good choices but in reality, the game is easier, so other than you know who at the end, I'm sure whatever roles you have characters pick, it won't affect the game too much (I beat the bird before Tomb of Raithwall and Vossler with Quickenings only.... like what?

I switch them depending on who I've actually managed to find a decent weapon for because I can't afford to buy one.  I quite like the Vaan, Ashe and Penelo team I have at the moment.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FinalFantasyXII/comments/6mdbi2/quick_guide_to_12job_party_optimization/

I went in blind to TZA for the most part. I've played FF12 before just not this job system. I went with::

Vaan - Shikari / Bushi
Balthier - Machinist / Time Battlemage
Fran - Arher / Red Battlemage
Basche - Uhlan / Knight
Ashe - Black Mage / Foebreaker
Penelo - White Mage / Monk

Main party is Vaan/Balthier/Penelo but the other three can certainly hold their own. I'm doing all the end game stuff and having no problems. The only *slight* issue I have is using technicks as Ashe has all the good wither ones.

I'll suss out more optimised builds next playthrough. White Mage / Machinist combo for example.

I did:

Vaan : shikari+bushi
Balthier : shikari + foebreaker
Fran : white mage + machinist
Basch : knight + bushi
Ashe : black mage + monk
Penelo : white mage + time mage

Vaan and Balthier being best candidates as the two Genji glove + ninja sword users, Vaan getting dark blade and Balthier having every break.

Basch being a knight in the story knight + bushi was perfect for the tank/decoy.

Machinist goes to the person with weakest stats and works well with white mage so Fran got both.

That leaves Ashe and Penelo with the highest magic stats.  White mage and time mage for ultimate buffer amd 2nd healer and for nuker it was either black mage monk for holy and general purpose balanced nuking and high level white magic to stand in with heals without swapping or BLM/RDM for Ardor.  Pick whichever.

Gave hastega to Fran instead of Renew to Ashe as Ashe as BLM can heal over 10k to the whole party with just curaja anyway.

The best weapons in the game aren't job specific so it really doesn't matter. 

Just completed the Platinum last weekend.

Im always obsessed with perfect builds and it really doesn't matter here. Worst case you can auto script it with fail proof gambits and throw ribbons and white masks on everyone and cheese Yiazmat with reverse and decoy with the starting weapon and AFK the Platinum overnight if you wanted.

Ignoring the fact most of the trophies are time sinks and I had to start again so no where near them, how long did it take you to beat 'him'?

Yiazmat? I don't recall, like 15 mins?  I researched my builds and gear for optimal end game (shikari+bushi and dark blade is specifically for Yiazmat) before I even started the game for the first time. Researched missables, etc.

My non dps classes have Seitengrates too so it's pretty much zzzz.  

Honestly the Judges for trial 100 felt longer as they require strategy  and patience with or without OP gear and builds.  Get too greedy on  damage on the second to last guy when he defense ups and slip up and it's all over even with just two left.  Even if you go in with Reddas and 3x Seitengrates thinking you'll face roll it you'll still get rekt without a strategy and awareness of mechanics.  Probably the only fight you can't really cheese.

I haven't got to Nabudis yet, but I just googled and while I think it is available as a reward for Rare Monsters hunts, it's no longer in Nabudis. Only Henne Mines and the hard part of that too.

To me, it's just not worth it.

with my strat, you can kill Yiazmat in no time.

Bushi/Shikari: access to Black Robe and Yagyu Darkblade.

Yiazmat is weak to darkness. Black Robe +50% darkness attack, and Yagyu Darkblade is dark-elemental.